Manual lifting tasks are the predominant means of transporting materials in industry with many of these tasks being performed in confined spaces. Research has tended to focus on the biomechanical implications of working in small spaces with a decided lack of information about the physiological and perceptual responses in these environments. This holistic study therefore investigated the manner in which the human operator responded to conditions where the ceiling height was lowered and reach demands increased. Thirty-two young physically active male subjects (age: 21.55yr; stature: 1810mm) were recruited to complete a 2-way repeated measures experiment during which four lifting protocols where different combinations of ceiling height (‘normal’ or reduced to 1460mm in height) and reach demands (400mm or 800mm) were tested. A crude postural analysis was conducted while physiological responses were detailed and continuously monitored. Perceptual responses were also assessed. The tasks with a ‘normal’ ceiling height (mean compression forces: 2615N; mean shearing forces: 388N) and the greatest reach distance (mean compression forces: 3655N; mean shearing forces: 386N) placed individuals under the highest strain. Mean heart rate (HR) responses were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the URN condition when compared to the RF condition. Furthermore, HR responses were statistically significantly affected by the height of the ceiling and the reach depth. Statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) in mean tidal volume (VT) occurred in the least (URN) and most (RF) restrictive conditions. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in mean VE were evident between URN and URF, between URN and RF and between RN and RF. Ceiling height and reach demands had a statistically significant effect on all respiratory responses. There was a statistically significant difference in mean oxygen consumption (VO2) between the URN and all other conditions, and between the most restricted task (RF) and all other conditions. Both the effect of ceiling height and reach demands had a statistically statistically significant impact on VO2. Respiratory quotient (RQ) was significantly higher when loads were moved over 800mm compared to 400mm yet ceiling height did not have a statistically significant effect on RQ. Mean energy expenditure was significantly higher in the RF condition compared to the two least restrictive conditions (URN and RN). Statistically significant differences in EE were also evident between URN and RN, and between URN and URF. EE was significantly affected by reductions in ceiling height and increases in reach demands. Perceptually, the RF task (mean ‘Central’ RPE of 11) was perceived to place significantly greater cardiorespiratory demands on the operator compared to the URN (CRPE: 10) and RN (CRPE: 10) conditions. Statistically significant differences in perceived musculoskeletal strain only occurred between URN and RF. The effect of reach was perceived to have a statistically significant effect on both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal demands whereas ceiling height only had a statistically significant effect on musculoskeletal demands. The greatest discomfort was experienced in the lower back with the most intense discomfort occurring in the RN condition.

Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire de thèse s’inscrivent dans le projet ANR BARPPRO réalisé dans le cadre de la réglementation française des PPRT pour les sites industriels classés SEVESO. L’objet est de proposer un outil pour le dimensionnement des barrières physiques de protection face à une déflagration de gaz. Une étude paramétrique à petite échelle est menée pour étudier l’effet protecteur d’une barrière physique. Un dispositif d’accélération de flamme a été conçu pour générer une vitesse de flamme sonique. Cela a permis de réaliser à petite échelle l’étude de l’impact de l’obstruction sur la vitesse de flamme et sur les paramètres de l’onde de pression. Ces résultats ont été confrontés aux modèles de la littérature. L’onde de pression incidente ainsi générée sert de donnée d’entrée et de référence dans l’étude de la barrière. Plusieurs paramètres de l’onde de pression sont étudiés : le temps d’arrivée, la surpression maximale et l’impulsion positive. L’influence de la hauteur du mur et de sa position par rapport à la source d’amorçage est traitée pour deux formes de barrière (droite et cylindrique) et pour deux mélanges hydrogène/air (stoechiométrique et de richesse 0.65). / This thesis is a part ANR BARPPRO project in the framework of the French regulation PPRTs for industrial Seveso sites. The goal of the present work is to provide a tool for the sizing of protective physical barriers against a gas explosion. A parametric study at small scale is conducted to investigate the protective effect of a physical barrier. For that purpose, a cylindrical device was developed to accelerate the flame gradually until reaching sonic flame speeds by increasing the obstruction inside the device. This has also led to the realization of a small-scale study about the impact of the obstruction on the flame speed and on the pressure wave’s characteristics. These results are compared with those obtained with models from the literature. The pressure wave generated by the acceleration device is used as input and reference in the barriers’ parametrical study. Several parameters of the pressure wave are considered: the arrival time, the maximum overpressure and the positive pulse. The influence of the wall height and position relative to the ignition source is processed for two barrier’s shapes (straight and cylindrical) and two hydrogen / air mixtures (stoichiometric and with an equivalence ratio of 0.65).

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:14:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 1991-09-25T00:00:00Z / O trabalho propõe aos cursos de graduação em administração, de empresas e pública, um corpo incremental de conhecimento, objetivando capacitar seus alunos a gerir a função Saúde Ambiental, levando suas organizações a obter uma vantagem competitiva sustentável. Defende a relevância do problema e procura esclarecer os conceitos envolvidos. Questiona as estatísticas que tendem a evidenciar uma situação controlada ou equacionada. Discute o corpo de conhecimento atualmente disponível ao administrador. Aborda a questão da responsabilidade no âmbito do governo, trabalhadores e empresas. Discute a importância de se obter uma vantagem competitiva sustentável num arcabouço de planejamento estratégico.

Work is an essential activity that provides goods or services of value to oneself and others. Paradoxically, in a bid for self-realisation, workers are seriously endangered. Work-related or induced diseases and stresses pose serious threats to workers’ health and the general well-being, hence, the need to seriously consider the issue of occupational health and safety of workers. In terms of safety at work, the experience of small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) worldwide is that of neglect. Their incomes are very low and uncertain, coupled with high levels of risk and hazard in their work, with little or no social protection coverage (Chen, 2008). This study therefore examines how environmental and sociological factors determine occupational health and safety of workers in SMSEs in Lagos State, Nigeria. Ulrich Beck “Risk Society” theory, Political Economy of Health framework (PEH) (Minkler et al 1994, Linnan et al, 2001) and Labour Process Theory (LPT) (Braverman, 1974; Marx, 1976; Bottome, 1991) underpinned the study. The study adopts both the qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The qualitative method includes field observation of the selected workplaces, six Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and eight In-depth interviews (IDIs). The quantitative involved the use of structured questionnaire. The sample survey involved 180 respondents in a multi-stage sampling technique from purposively selected sawmills, mechanic villages and blacksmith cottages in three Local Government Areas in Lagos State. The quantitative data analysis uses simple percentile and univariate analyses, while the qualitative data are content-analysed, based on the objectives of the study. The findings identified low level of education (60.5%), and poor awareness of OHS in SMSEs (86.1%). It further reveals poor physical (69.5%) and technological environment (70.5%), unavailability of OHS facilities (60.5%) and prevention methods by manager/owners (60.5%), carefree attitudes of workers/managers/owners to OHS (69.5), non-acquaintance of workers to OHS laws (86.1%), workers’ economic incapacitation to deal with issues of occupational hazard (76.1%), lack of enforcement of OHS (88.3%), and transferring knowledge on OHS (82.2%) in the selected SMSEs. The study recommends roles for managers/owners, workers, trade associations, government, non-governmental organisations to promote effective OHS in the selected SMSEs. / Sociology / D.Phil. (Sociology)

Esta dissertação tem como objeto de estudo a qualidade de vida e segurança do trabalho em canteiros de obra e objetiva analisar o comprometimento de empresas da construção civil que possuem um sistema de gestão da qualidade implantado e certificado de acordo com a NBR ISO 9001:2000, com a segurança e a qualidade de vida no trabalho dos seus funcionários em canteiros de obra. Investiga-se, especificamente, a partir da Política e dos Objetivos da Qualidade adotados por construtoras que atuam no setor de edificações verticais, na Região Metropolitana do Recife, quais os dados determinantes para esse empenho e os tipos de objetivos que contemplam cada um dos setores pesquisados, quais sejam, a Segurança do Trabalho e a Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho. A metodologia utilizada, baseada em estudos de casos, inicialmente contemplou a análise da experiência reconhecidamente bem sucedida, de uma empresa da construção civil que implantou ações de melhoria da qualidade de vida em seus canteiros de obra. Em seguida, a partir dos dados coletados em empresas selecionadas, obtiveram-se informações que apontaram para carências de objetivos do sistema de gestão da qualidade que contemplassem o objeto de estudo. Neste sentido, como sugestão prática deste trabalho, foram propostas dez ações de melhoria das condições de vida e/ou segurança dos trabalhadores em canteiros de obra, conduzidas passo a passo, de modo a direcionar e facilitar a sua implantação por empresas construtoras. / This dissertation has as its object of study quality of life and safety at work on building sites and aims to analyze the commitment of civil construction companies who have a system of quality management set up and certificated in accordance with NBR ISO 9001:2000 with safety and quality of life in the work of their employees on building-sites. Specifically, an investigation is made, based on the Policy and Quality Objectives adopted by construction companies who engage in the sector of vertical buildings, in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, whatever may be the determining data for this enterprise and the types of objectives which include each of the sectors researched, namely Safety at Work and Quality of Life at Work. The methodology used, based on case studies, initially considered the analysis of the recognizably successful experience of one civil construction company which implemented actions for improving quality of life on its building sites. Thereafter, using the data collected in selected companies, pieces of information were obtained which pointed to features lacking in the objectives of the system of quality management which contemplated the object of this study. Therefore, as a practical suggestion arising from this study, ten actions have been proposed for improving the conditions of life and/or safety of workers on building-sites, set out step-by-step, in such a way as to guide and facilitate their implementation by building firms.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Construction Management Department of the Built Environment in the Faculty of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / The construction industry contributes significantly to national economic growth and offers substantial opportunities for job creation; however the industry has continually been plagued by workplace accidents. Moreover, employers may not realize the economic magnitude of workplace injury and ill health arising from construction activities. These accidents represent a considerable economic and social burden to employers, employees and to society as a whole. Despite governments and organisations worldwide maintaining an on-going commitment towards establishing a working environment free of injury and disease, a great deal of construction accidents continues to frequent our society. Given the high rate of construction accidents experienced, employers are not entirely mindful of the actual costs of construction accidents, especially when considering the hidden or indirect costs of accidents. Various safety research efforts have attempted to quantify the true costs of worker injuries, however localised systematic information on cost of construction accidents at work is not readily available from administrative statistical data sources, therefore this study was carried out in order to estimate the costs, like lost workdays or lost income, are clearly visible and can readily be expressed in monetary value; for a large part however, economic consequences of accidents are somewhat hidden. Indirect costs following an accident may be disregarded, damage to the company image is difficult to quantify and pricing human suffering and health damage is subject to discussion. Nevertheless, it is possible to get an adequate insight into the costs of accidents and the potential benefits of accident prevention.

The construction workforce in South Africa is one that is ageing. This is a global phenomenon and necessitates research into how the older cohort of the construction work force can be optimally engaged. Optimum worker productivity, high quality products that meet the specifications required, and high levels of occupational safety and health are integral factors in achieving a sustainable workforce. The purpose of the research was to quantify the injury rates among older construction workers as well as to determine the events leading to these injuries, the nature of the injuries and the bodily locations affected. The costs associated with these injuries were investigated to understand whether there were any discernable differences between injuries to older and younger workers. Apart from the literature review, two statistical construction injury databases were analysed. Qualitative questionnaire based interviews were designed to gather information related to older construction workers. Questionnaires were sent to construction site managers to gauge their perceptions of older construction workers. The statistical data was collected from the Western Cape region and was for the period 1998 through 2005 while the interviews and questionnaire data were collected during 2008. xv The potential benefits to industry are a consolidation of injury information relating to older construction workers. This should assist construction managers with developing policies and implementing strategies to prevent or at least minimise injuries and minimise the related costs, with the aim of more effectively utilising their older workers and ultimately achieving a more sustainable construction industry. The study found that older workers sustained less injuries in total compared with younger workers. No discernable variances occurred between younger and older workers when it came to events leading to injuries (causes) and the type/nature of injuries. It was, however, found that for the body parts affected, older workers were more prone to certain injuries. Older workers sustained less severe injuries compared with their younger counterparts but the injuries were more costly. The research findings supported the notion that older workers receive less training than younger workers.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology Occupational Health Nursing in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2015 / Purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to explore the injury on duty prevention and management strategies that are currently used in different higher education settings. The study intended to shed light on specific areas of policy and practice discrepancies related to the disjuncture between employee interactions, regulated directives and organizational goals. Aims and objectives: One of the aims was to determine the types of work-related injuries that occur in HEI’s by verifying the injuries reported on Employers Reports of an Accident. A second aim was to examine strategies that have been put in place to prevent injuries in the workplace by reviewing policies and procedures related to injury prevention. The final aim was to examine systems in-place to manage occupational injuries by looking at staff health or employee wellness service flow charts or models used at the HEIs. Population and sample: Permanently employed personnel at two HEI’s in the Western Cape were participants in a multiple case study. The sample units consisted of health and safety representatives, human resources, maintenance personnel, estates and custodial, traffic services and departmental managers. Methodology: This study applied a mixed-method using a multiple case study design as an approach to the enquiry. Methods of data collection: Documents, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews were be used to obtain data to answer the research questions. Process of analysis: Qualitative and quantitative themes will be analysed in a matrix. The three data sources were triangulated to validate the findings. Benefits of the study: Injury prevention benefits the employer and employee in many ways, including increased employee performance leading to increased productivity as well as cost savings. Main findings: Injuries that were reported are mostly musculoskeletal injuries; however other types of injuries may not be reported due to under reporting of injuries being common in this setting. Health and safety training and knowledge sharing was not well supported and injury prevention strategies were not optimized. The application of health and safety policies and procedures were not adequately communicated, enforced or monitored. Staff health and employee wellness strategies operate independently and do not facilitate a coordinated response to manage occupational injuries in this setting. Lack of monitoring, organizational support, training and knowledge sharing and communication were the four main challenges to injury prevention management systems. Conclusions: The implementation of an effective injury prevention and management programme could benefit the organization and translate into increased operational value (organizational quality). Key words: Higher Education Institutions, Occupational Injury prevention, Management of occupational injury.

The problem addressed in this thesis is the detection, localisation and tracking of human workers from mobile industrial machinery using a customised vision system developed at Örebro University. Coined the RefleX Vision System, its hardware configuration and computer vision algorithms were specifically designed for real-world industrial scenarios where workers are required to wear protective high-visibility garments with retro-reflective markers. The demand for robust industry-purpose human sensing methods originates from the fact that many industrial environments represent work spaces that are shared between humans and mobile machinery. Typical examples of such environments include construction sites, surface and underground mines, storage yards and warehouses. Here, accidents involving mobile equipment and human workers frequently result in serious injuries and fatalities. Robust sensor-based detection of humans in the surrounding of mobile equipment is therefore an active research topic and represents a crucial requirement for safe vehicle operation and accident prevention in increasingly automated production sites. Addressing the described safety issue, this thesis presents a collection of papers which introduce, analyse and evaluate a novel vision-based method for detecting humans equipped with protective high-visibility garments in the neighbourhood of manned or unmanned industrial vehicles. The thesis provides a comprehensive discussion of the numerous aspects regarding the design of the hardware and the computer vision algorithms that constitute the vision system. An active nearinfrared camera setup that is customised for the robust perception of retroreflective markers builds the basis for the sensing method. Using its specific input, a set of computer vision and machine learning algorithms then perform extraction, analysis, classification and localisation of the observed reflective patterns, and eventually detection and tracking of workers with protective garments. Multiple real-world challenges, which existing methods frequently struggle to cope with, are discussed throughout the thesis, including varying ambient lighting conditions and human body pose variation. The presented work has been carried out with a strong focus on industrial applicability, and therefore includes an extensive experimental evaluation in a number of different real-world indoor and outdoor work environments.

The present study adopted a “field-laboratory-field” approach in the assessment of the efficacy of ergonomics interventions specific to two selected tasks evaluated in a South African automotive industry. Initial field testing was conducted in an Eastern Cape (South Africa) automotive plant where high risk areas were identified during walkthrough ergonomics surveys in conjunction with interaction with operators. Temporal factors and working postures of 12 industrial workers were recorded and observed, while physiological and perceptual responses were assessed. Two priority areas were focused upon for analysis, namely the Paintshop and Bodyshop with the former identified as being the more taxing of the two tasks. Responses of 30 students participating in rigourously controlled laboratory simulations were subsequently collected while completing the two tasks, namely the Paintshop Trolley Transfer (PTT) and Car Door Carriage (CDC) for participants. Working postures, kinematic, physiological and perceptual responses were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Following the laboratory experimentation a basic re-evaluation was conducted at the plant to assess whether the proposed changes had a positive effect on working postures, physiological and perceptual responses. The results of the preliminary field investigation revealed a prevalence of awkward working postures and excessive manual work in both areas. Laboratory experimentation revealed a notable reduction in task demands pre- versus post-intervention. The PTT mean lean angle for two-handed pre-intervention pulling observations of 23.7° (±3.51) was reduced to 13.9° (±2.21) post-intervention. Low back disorder (LBD) risk was reduced during the two-handed pull intervention (from 36.8% ±8.03 to 21.7% ±5.31). A significant decrement in heart rate responses from 103 bt.min-1 (±11.62) to 93 bt.min[superscript -1] (±11.77) was recorded during the two-handed symmetrical pushing intervention. The electromyography (EMG) responses for one-handed pushing and pulling pre-intervention showed the highest levels of muscular activity in the right medial deltoid due to an awkward and asymmetrical posture. CDC responses demonstrated that minor changes in the storage height of the door resulted in a significant reduction in sagittal flexion from 28.0° (±4.78) to 20.7° (±5.65). Predictions of average probability of LBD risk were significantly reduced from 50.3% (±5.91) to 39.8% (±5.10) for post-intervention car door lifting. In addition, the greatest reduction in EMG activity as a %MVC was achieved during sub-task ii (reduced from 35.1 to 13.7% and 30.5 to 13.9% for left and right erector spinae respectively) which was associated with the introduction of the transfer trolley for the door transfer phase of the CDC. Re-evaluation in the automotive plant revealed that the most notable change has been the implementation of automated ride on trolleys in the Paintshop. The Bodyshop area has also been modified to allow more effective job rotation and the step into the storage bin has been reduced via a “low-cost” stepping platform. Mean heart rate recordings were reduced from 94 (±9.77) bt.min[superscript -1] to 81 (±3.72) bt.min[superscript -1] in the Paintshop. Overall the results demonstrate the effect of “low-cost” interventions in reducing the physical stresses placed on workers in the automotive industry where much of the work is still done manually.