A saúde e segurança do trabalhador em um empreendimento mineiro necessitam de atenções redobradas. O constante monitoramento dos agentes físicos e químicos, possivelmente danosos, deve ser feito para que seja demonstrada eficiência nas medidas preventivas e até mesmo para que novas situações de risco sejam detectadas. Este monitoramento deve ser feito por profissionais preparados, que podem ser os próprios funcionários da empresa, desde que devidamente capacitados. As informações necessárias para o treinamento desses profissionais encontram-se dispersas em diferentes literaturas. O objetivo deste trabalho é elaborar um guia unificado de procedimentos de amostragem e tratamento de dados por meio de descrição dos agentes, instrumentação utilizada e exemplos de medição de campo, com metodologias específicas. Os resultados obtidos foram tratados, analisados e comparados com a respectiva norma brasileira vigente. Foram considerados os principais agentes nocivos de uma pedreira: ruído, iluminação, sílica, vibração e calor que foram analisados com alguns dos diversos instrumentos disponíveis no mercado. Este guia, com as sugestões de monitoramento, pode ser aplicado a outros ambientes de mineração. Os resultados são parâmetros na elaboração de melhorias para a saúde e a segurança dos trabalhadores. / Health and safety of mining workers require extra attention. The continuous monitoring of physical and chemical agents, possibly harmful, is essential to verify the efficiency of preventive actions and to identify new risks situations. This job has to be carried out by qualified professionals that can even be the company\'s employees, since well trained. However, the required information for guidance is not easily found at the specific bibliographies. Thus, the goal of this work is to prepare a comprehensive guide of field measurements with some sampling tips, including the description of the physical and chemical agents, equipments examples, and the associated methodology. The results were analyzed and compared with the current Brazilian standards. This study considered the most harmful agents in a quarry: noise, illuminance, silica dust, human vibration and heat stress which were measured with some of the several equipments available in the market. This guide, with suggested monitoring practices, can be extended to other mining environments. The results were helpful in proposing enhancements to safety and health of miners.

Traditional occupational hygiene assessment of occupational exposures to organic gases and vapours rely on low flow (<200 ml/min) NIOSH sorbent tubes. This work investigates 3M charcoal filter media (JK50 and JK40, 3M, Inc.) for collection and analysis of organic vapours across 0.1 ¿ 5 l/min. To enable this work, a custom exposure facility was constructed and validated within which organic analyte gas/vapour concentrations could be introduced at known concentrations while controlling environmental variables such as temperature and humidity and other variables. This facility enabled experiments designed to investigate collection and desorption efficiencies across a range of sample flow rates, temperature and humidity conditions for both NIOSH sorbent tubes (e.g. SKC tube) and 3M charcoal filter media. As a result of the investigations described in this thesis, the following conclusions are drawn. Performance of the 3M charcoal filter media for collection and desorption efficiencies for loading, storage time, humidity and breakthrough at low flow rates (<0.5 l/min) were found comparable to the SKC sorbent tube. It is concluded that 3M charcoal media (JK50 and JK40) are suitable for sampling and analyses of hydrocarbons at flow rates <0.5 l/min. The collection efficiencies of the 3M charcoal filter media were investigated at high flow rates (>0.5l/min) for the same parameters, i.e., loading, temperature and humidity. It is concluded that 3M charcoal filter media can be used with confidence in sampling and analysis of airborne hydrocarbons up to 5 l/min. The Wheeler-Jonas model was found to satisfactorily predict the adsorption kinetics of the 3M charcoal filter media at different loading values of hydrocarbons. It was therefore concluded that the model can be applied to determine the suitable amount of 3M charcoal filter media prior to sampling for a given loading.

In order to investigate the etiology of and evaluate interventions for work-related back injuries, researchers need efficient, accurate occupational exposure assessment methods suitable for large samples. The chapters in this thesis examine critical decisions using electromyography (EMG): How should exposure be measured? For what duration? Who should be measured, and how many times? Low-back EMG, or muscle activity data, was collected during 138 full-shift field measurements over 30 different job titles at 50 different worksites in 5 heavy industries: forestry, transportation, wood products, construction, and warehousing. Observations and self-reports of posture, manual materials handling (MMH), and driving exposures were collected concurrently. 1) Variability of EMG calibration measurements was investigated on right/left sides, multiple trials, 4 positions, and pre/post-shift. Position accounts for the majority of explained variability; there is little to gain by measuring multiple trials or pre- and post-shift, but measuring both sides and multiple positions is worthwhile. 2) Observation and self-report data were easier to collect and cheaper than the EMG direct measure. Costs and successful field performance need to be weighed against the added data detail when making choices about exposure assessment techniques for epidemiological studies. 3) Observed and self-reported exposures were used to predict EMG exposure metrics using mixed multiple linear regression models. Regression models using observed variables predicted 43-50% of the variability in the EMG metrics, while self-reported variables predicted 21%-36%. The observation exposure model provides a low-cost alternative to direct measurement. The self-reported exposure model should be considered with more caution. 4) Full-shift EMG data was resampled for 4, 2, and 1 hour, and for 10 and 2 minute durations to determine the optimal sampling duration. Bias was consistently low, but shorter durations had higher absolute error, percentage error, and limits of agreement. Durations of 4 and 2 hours may be acceptable but those less than 1 hour had large errors. 5) Components of EMG variance were calculated between- and within-subject, and between- industry, company, job, and post hoc grouping. Resolution, contrast, and exposure-response relationship attenuation were calculated for each grouping scheme. The post hoc scheme had the highest contrast and lowest resolution.

In order to investigate the etiology of and evaluate interventions for work-related back injuries, researchers need efficient, accurate occupational exposure assessment methods suitable for large samples. The chapters in this thesis examine critical decisions using electromyography (EMG): How should exposure be measured? For what duration? Who should be measured, and how many times? Low-back EMG, or muscle activity data, was collected during 138 full-shift field measurements over 30 different job titles at 50 different worksites in 5 heavy industries: forestry, transportation, wood products, construction, and warehousing. Observations and self-reports of posture, manual materials handling (MMH), and driving exposures were collected concurrently. 1) Variability of EMG calibration measurements was investigated on right/left sides, multiple trials, 4 positions, and pre/post-shift. Position accounts for the majority of explained variability; there is little to gain by measuring multiple trials or pre- and post-shift, but measuring both sides and multiple positions is worthwhile. 2) Observation and self-report data were easier to collect and cheaper than the EMG direct measure. Costs and successful field performance need to be weighed against the added data detail when making choices about exposure assessment techniques for epidemiological studies. 3) Observed and self-reported exposures were used to predict EMG exposure metrics using mixed multiple linear regression models. Regression models using observed variables predicted 43-50% of the variability in the EMG metrics, while self-reported variables predicted 21%-36%. The observation exposure model provides a low-cost alternative to direct measurement. The self-reported exposure model should be considered with more caution. 4) Full-shift EMG data was resampled for 4, 2, and 1 hour, and for 10 and 2 minute durations to determine the optimal sampling duration. Bias was consistently low, but shorter durations had higher absolute error, percentage error, and limits of agreement. Durations of 4 and 2 hours may be acceptable but those less than 1 hour had large errors. 5) Components of EMG variance were calculated between- and within-subject, and between- industry, company, job, and post hoc grouping. Resolution, contrast, and exposure-response relationship attenuation were calculated for each grouping scheme. The post hoc scheme had the highest contrast and lowest resolution.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:56:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3832.pdf: 5539971 bytes, checksum: 175dfab828fb7f698bea50d6ed40c3ed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-05 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / In a workplace, workers are daily exposed to various physical and chemical agents which become health hazards and jeopardize the welfare of the affected individuals. Considering the issue of occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring, this study aimed to evaluate the indoor air quality in the production environment of an industry of paints, varnishes, solvents and products for leather in the city of São Carlos. Were monitored from August 2010 to March 2011, in about four hours by sampling, the following parameters: total particulate matter and respirable fractions, levels of carbon dioxide, noise, temperature and humidity, and also proceeded to the chemical characterization of particulate material collected by the technique of X-Ray Fluorescence and the evaluation of total volatile organic compounds (VOC s). The results showed values above the temperature recommended by the RE/ANVISA nº 9 with an average of 27ºC for the period tracked and humidity values with an average of 52%, which is considered within the recommended by the same standard. The noise levels, in 14 of the 31 samples, were above permitted by NR 15 which is 90 dB (A) for 4 hours with an average value of 73,13 dB(A) for the months sampled and peaks above 90 dB(A) in almost all months. The levels of CO2 are within permitted by NR 15 (3900 ppm) and RE/ANVISA nº 9 (1000 ppm). As for particulate matter, the MP2,5 fraction had average value below 7 &#956;g/m³ and is within the recommended values, as the MP10 and MPT are outside the recommended by OMS and RE/ANVISA nº 9, considering that the MPT is above the recommended 13 days of sampling, ranging from 34,6 to 182,6 &#956;g/m³ in the months sampled. Chemical analysis quantified the elements: Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, P, Pb, S, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn, and the elements of higher concentration in the sampled period were: Al, Fe and Si with maximum concentration of 47,68 &#956;g/m³, 32,81 &#956;g/m³ and 45,25 &#956;g/m³, respectively. The average value for VOC s was 17,85 ppm. / Em um ambiente ocupacional, os trabalhadores são diariamente expostos a diversos agentes físicos e químicos que se tornam riscos à saúde e comprometem o bem-estar dos indivíduos atingidos. Considerando a questão de higiene ocupacional e monitoramento ambiental, este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade do ar interior no ambiente de produção de uma indústria de tintas, vernizes, solventes e produtos para couros na cidade de São Carlos. Foram monitorados de agosto de 2010 a março de 2011, com duração de aproximadamente 4 horas por amostragem, os seguintes parâmetros: material particulado total (MPT) e suas frações respiráveis, níveis de dióxido de carbono (CO2), nível de ruído, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar e, também, procedeu-se a caracterização química do material particulado coletado através da técnica de Fluorescência de Raios-X e a avaliação de Compostos Orgânicos Voláteis Totais (COV s). Os resultados evidenciaram valores de temperatura acima do recomendado pela RE/ANVISA nº 9 com média de 27ºC para o período monitorado e valores de umidade com média de 52%, ou seja, dentro do recomendado pela mesma norma. Os níveis de ruído se encontraram, em 14 das 31 amostragens, em níveis acima do permitido pela NR 15 que recomenda 90 dB(A) para 4 horas, com uma média de 73,13 dB(A) para os meses amostrados e picos acima de 90 dB(A) em quase todos os meses. Os níveis de CO2 estão dentro do permitido pela NR 15 (3900 ppm) e RE/ANVISA nº 9 (1000 ppm). Quanto ao material particulado, a fração MP2,5 obteve valor médio abaixo de 7 &#956;g/m³, encontrando-se dentro de valores recomendados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), já o MP10 e o MPT encontram-se fora do recomendado pela OMS e pela RE/ANVISA nº 9, sendo que o MPT está acima do recomendado em 13 dos dias amostrados, oscilando de 34,6 a 182,6 &#956;g/m³ nos meses amostrados. Na análise química foram quantificados os elementos: Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, P, Pb, S, Si, Sr, Ti, Zn, sendo os elementos de maiores concentrações no período amostrado foram: Al, Fe e Si com concentrações máximas de 47,68 &#956;g/m³, 32,81 &#956;g/m³ e 45,25 &#956;g/m³, respectivamente. A média encontrada de COV s foi de 17,85 ppm.

In order to investigate the etiology of and evaluate interventions for work-related back injuries, researchers need efficient, accurate occupational exposure assessment methods suitable for large samples. The chapters in this thesis examine critical decisions using electromyography (EMG): How should exposure be measured? For what duration? Who should be measured, and how many times? Low-back EMG, or muscle activity data, was collected during 138 full-shift field measurements over 30 different job titles at 50 different worksites in 5 heavy industries: forestry, transportation, wood products, construction, and warehousing. Observations and self-reports of posture, manual materials handling (MMH), and driving exposures were collected concurrently. 1) Variability of EMG calibration measurements was investigated on right/left sides, multiple trials, 4 positions, and pre/post-shift. Position accounts for the majority of explained variability; there is little to gain by measuring multiple trials or pre- and post-shift, but measuring both sides and multiple positions is worthwhile. 2) Observation and self-report data were easier to collect and cheaper than the EMG direct measure. Costs and successful field performance need to be weighed against the added data detail when making choices about exposure assessment techniques for epidemiological studies. 3) Observed and self-reported exposures were used to predict EMG exposure metrics using mixed multiple linear regression models. Regression models using observed variables predicted 43-50% of the variability in the EMG metrics, while self-reported variables predicted 21%-36%. The observation exposure model provides a low-cost alternative to direct measurement. The self-reported exposure model should be considered with more caution. 4) Full-shift EMG data was resampled for 4, 2, and 1 hour, and for 10 and 2 minute durations to determine the optimal sampling duration. Bias was consistently low, but shorter durations had higher absolute error, percentage error, and limits of agreement. Durations of 4 and 2 hours may be acceptable but those less than 1 hour had large errors. 5) Components of EMG variance were calculated between- and within-subject, and between- industry, company, job, and post hoc grouping. Resolution, contrast, and exposure-response relationship attenuation were calculated for each grouping scheme. The post hoc scheme had the highest contrast and lowest resolution. / Medicine, Faculty of / Population and Public Health (SPPH), School of / Graduate

The aim of this thesisis to defineand clarify the concepts of safety and hygiene at work in building industry. The theoretical part explains the issue of hygiene in the building industry. Second part of theoretical part is devoted to safety of work. The thesis is dividend this way to secure that practical part, which deals with securing of safety and hygiene at work in building companies, is fluently continued by theoretical part.

In the end of the1940's Occupational Medicine was institutionalised in Sweden. Health hazilards in the work place was not a new field for the Swedish physicians. They had been preocrcupied with these problems for a long time. The aim of this thesis is to analyse and describe how health hazards in the work placees, ecpecially in the factories, were perceived and described by Swedish physicians at the turn of the 20t century. The aim is also to clarify the physicians' role m shaping, developing and supervising the Occupational Safety and Health Acts. The city of Norrköping is used as anexample in discussing how physicians at a local level paid attention to health and safety issues in the work place. According to the physicians, there were a number of harmful factors in the factory work that could endanger health, but these were also seen to be dependent on the worker. Workers ldisplayed different kinds of vulnerability to the harmful factors. Sex, heredity, age, health, physique, habits and behaviour were understood as determining components. The preventive measures not only contained guidelines for the factories. They also included advises on how '!the workers should organise and live their lives outside work. The life style and behaviour the physicians would like to encourage were aligned with the !cultural values of the bourgeoisie at the tum of the 20th century. It is vital to recognise the cultural lens through which the physicians perceived and spoke of the workers' situation, their way of life and their behaviour inside as well as outside the factory.

The thesis aims to introduce the issue of health and safety in construction. The issue of safety at work is explained in the first part of the theoretical part. Problems of hygiene are explained in the second part. The practical part deals with the mapping of the situation in the construction industry and occupational health and safety plan.

Outputs of dose–response assessments can be used as benchmarks that help to identify the need for risk management measures to reduce population health risks associated with exposure to chemicals. Various approaches can be used to facilitate the incorporation of chemical- or scenario-specific data into dose–response analyses, as a means of replacing or influencing default assumptions and extrapolations. The goal of the first part of this thesis was to examine the evolution of approaches to the incorporation of chemical- and scenario-specific data in dose–response assessments in regulatory settings, and identify contextual factors that serve as barriers and facilitators to the use of approaches. A main focus of the investigation was on physiological modelling, which is the most commonly-used category of approaches enabling extrapolations that depart from default assumptions. Evaluations of the dose–response applications of physiological modelling in the peer-reviewed scientific literature and in regulatory reports were conducted. Similarities between the scientific literature databases and regulatory reports were observed with respect to the evolution of physiological modelling in dose–response assessments, notably related to the timing, quantity, and annual frequency of publications. These similarities indicate that a factor in the low dose–response application of physiological modelling, relative to the overall production of physiological models, is an absence of data. However, variability in adoption of physiological modelling in regulatory dose–response assessments was observed among—and even within—organizations faced with the same data, indicating that other factors influence regulatory uptake of physiological modelling. Analysis of a survey indicated that factors acting as barriers or facilitators to regulatory risk assessors’ incorporation of increasingly data-informed approaches originated in both external and internal contexts. The external context was composed of the regulatory environment, domestic and international alignment, availability of external expertise, background of peer reviewers and stakeholders, availability and accessibility of software and tools, and chemical-dependent factors. The internal context was influenced by problem formulation, time and financial resources, organizational and management support, and training. A conceptual framework demonstrating how these factors impact a risk assessor’s ability to incorporate chemical- and scenario-specific data in dose–response analysis was developed, and subsequently used to provide recommendations on actions that could be taken to increase regulatory adoption of increasingly data-informed approaches. The second part of the thesis focused on the development of a knowledge translation tool designed to assist risk managers in the evaluation of dose–response analyses. The tool was focused on occupational exposure limits (OELs), and provides a guide to occupational hygienists in evaluating the relevance and reliability of individual OELs. When occupational hygienists are faced with multiple varying OELs for a chemical of interest, these evaluations can support the selection of the most appropriate OEL for a given situation. The usefulness of the tool was demonstrated for the selection of OELs for an OEL-rich compound (n-hexane), an OEL-poor compound (methamphetamine), and one additional compound (manganese). Such a tool can improve occupational hygienists’ understanding of the basis of OELs and the levels of protection afforded by each, which can contribute to more informed risk management decisions.