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Zhou X, Sun P, Wang B, Li M, Tong R. Capturing and quantifying the aggregate effects of multi-source factors affecting miners' health and well-being: Construction of Bayesian belief networks. Stress Health 2024; 40:e3336. [PMID: 37897699 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Factors originating at the organizational, work, and individual levels are closely interrelated and intricately intertwined, affecting health rates. There was limited research on the interdependence and aggregate effects between multi-source factors and occupational health and well-being (OHW). It is challenging to achieve management goals. Therefore, considering cross-level factors and across the "work environment-stress-exposure-OHW" chain, individual vulnerability was considered. A Fuzzy Bayesian Belief Network (FBBN) driven by both domain knowledge and data was constructed to carve out the logic between multi-source factors and OHW. Workers from four coal mines were surveyed twice in 6 months. 714 valid samples were included in the analysis. The interdependencies among multi-source factors were identified by the Interpretive Structure Modeling method and the visual probability estimation was achieved based on FBBN. It revealed that the work and the organizational level were the root factors. Eight factors involved in work stress were mainly mediating, and actual exposure and individual vulnerability were direct factors. Pathway interventions and joint interventions were proposed. The prediction ability and scheme feasibility of FBBN were verified. The approach developed allows robust assessments of aggregate effects and obtains multi-source factor importance. This study provides vital insights and evaluation tools for understanding workplace stress and OHW management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Zhou
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Pengyi Sun
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Biao Wang
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Li
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ruipeng Tong
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
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Wang J, Jiang C, Zhou X, Kang J, Yu S, Bai G. Experimental study on flow characteristics of jet ventilation in crossflow in confined mine spaces. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8022. [PMID: 38580659 PMCID: PMC10997619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58267-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing depth of mine excavation presents greater challenges in mine ventilation and in managing cooling energy consumption. Therefore, there is an urgent need for comprehensive research on jet ventilation influenced by low-speed crossflows. This study investigated the impact of flow velocity ratios (R) and jet exit diameters (d) on flow-field distribution and flow characteristics through velocity measurements and smoke flow visualization experiments. The results of the study revealed two distinct types of air lakes formed by jet ventilation in crossflow (JVIC), with one being wall-attached and the other suspended. Notably, a significant secondary flow phenomenon was observed in the near-field near the upper wall. Additionally, the deflection angle (θj) of JVIC decreases as R and d/D increase, leading to the formation and movement of a semi-confined point (SP) and a confined point (CP) in the -x direction. Moreover, the wall confinement effect diminishes the jet's diffusion and deflection ability in the -z direction, leading to increased penetration in the x direction. Before the formation of the SP, the deflection section of the jet lengthens, followed by a rapid shortening upon its formation. Finally, the study further developed empirical equations for the jet axial trajectory and diffusion width.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
- School of Safety Science and Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Mine Thermodynamic Disasters and Control of Ministry of Education, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Cheng Jiang
- School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China.
| | - Xihua Zhou
- School of Safety Science and Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Mine Thermodynamic Disasters and Control of Ministry of Education, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiayu Kang
- School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Shixuan Yu
- School of Civil Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
| | - Gang Bai
- School of Safety Science and Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
- Key Laboratory of Mine Thermodynamic Disasters and Control of Ministry of Education, Liaoning Technical University, Liaoning, China
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De Sario M, de'Donato FK, Bonafede M, Marinaccio A, Levi M, Ariani F, Morabito M, Michelozzi P. Occupational heat stress, heat-related effects and the related social and economic loss: a scoping literature review. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1173553. [PMID: 37601227 PMCID: PMC10434255 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1173553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction While there is consistent evidence on the effects of heat on workers' health and safety, the evidence on the resulting social and economic impacts is still limited. A scoping literature review was carried out to update the knowledge about social and economic impacts related to workplace heat exposure. Methods The literature search was conducted in two bibliographic databases (Web of Science and PubMed), to select publications from 2010 to April 2022. Results A total of 89 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis (32 field studies, 8 studies estimating healthcare-related costs, and 49 economic studies). Overall, consistent evidence of the socioeconomic impacts of heat exposure in the workplace emerges. Actual productivity losses at the global level are nearly 10% and are expected to increase up to 30-40% under the worst climate change scenario by the end of the century. Vulnerable regions are mainly low-latitude and low- and middle-income countries with a greater proportion of outdoor workers but include also areas from developed countries such as southern Europe. The most affected sectors are agriculture and construction. There is limited evidence regarding the role of cooling measures and changes in the work/rest schedule in mitigating heat-related productivity loss. Conclusion The available evidence highlights the need for strengthening prevention efforts to enhance workers' awareness and resilience toward occupational heat exposure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries but also in some areas of developed countries where an increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves is expected under future climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela De Sario
- Department of Epidemiology Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Michela Bonafede
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marinaccio
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Miriam Levi
- Epidemiology Unit, Department of Prevention, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, Florence, Italy
| | - Filippo Ariani
- Regional Centre for the Analysis of Data on Occupational and Work-Related Injuries and Diseases, Central Tuscany Local Health Authority, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Morabito
- Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council (IBE-CNR), Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Michelozzi
- Department of Epidemiology Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
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Zhou X, Sun N, Zhao X, Wang L, Tong R. Revealing the practical strategies for promoting Chinese migrant workers' health and well-being: Organizational empowerment perspective. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2023; 15:1085-1109. [PMID: 36539304 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The health and well-being of migrant workers struggling to make ends meet are being compromised, especially with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to analyze how organizational empowerment promotes health and well-being from an applied psychological perspective, taking into account the shaping role of individual vulnerability. Links between theory and practice will be established to achieve equitable health and well-being. The underlying mechanism by which organizational empowerment mitigated workplace-induced adverse outcomes was validated in the analysis of construction workers (n = 966). In addition, individual characteristics, namely, excitability, low perceptual threshold, control, and knowledge, attitude, and practice, were identified as critical factors, as well-being consequences vary from person to person. Moderating effect analysis showed that high excitability enhanced the association between work environment exposure and health and well-being. Control and knowledge, attitude, and practice have opposite effects. Moreover, the dual effects of the low perception threshold are verified, that is, facing the work environment produces more negative consequences, whereas perceiving more resources stimulates more positive consequences. Overall, the research provides a clearer dialectical view of vulnerability, contributing wisdom toward accurate management based on empowerment theory, which lays a solid foundation for bridging gaps in health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Zhou
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ninghao Sun
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Leyao Wang
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ruipeng Tong
- School of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing, China
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Nunfam VF, Adusei-Asante K, Van Etten EJ, Frimpong K, Oosthuizen J. Estimating the magnitude and risk associated with heat exposure among Ghanaian mining workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:2059-2075. [PMID: 34189699 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02164-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many occupational settings located outdoors in direct sun, such as open cut mining, pose a health, safety, and productivity risk to workers because of their increased exposure to heat. This issue is exacerbated by climate change effects, the physical nature of the work, the requirement to work extended shifts and the need to wear protective clothing which restricts evaporative cooling. Though Ghana has a rapidly expanding mining sector with a large workforce, there appears to be no study that has assessed the magnitude and risk of heat exposure on mining workers and its potential impact on this workforce. Questionnaires and temperature data loggers were used to assess the risk and extent of heat exposure in the working and living environments of Ghanaian miners. The variation in heat exposure risk factors across workers' gender, education level, workload, work hours, physical work exertion and proximity to heat sources is significant (p<0.05). Mining workers are vulnerable to the hazards of heat exposure which can endanger their health and safety, productive capacity, social well-being, adaptive capacity and resilience. An evaluation of indoor and outdoor Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) in the working and living environment showed that mining workers can be exposed to relatively high thermal load, thus raising their heat stress risk. Adequate adaptation policies and heat exposure management for workers are imperative to reduce heat stress risk, and improve productive capacity and the social health of mining workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Fannam Nunfam
- Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
- Centre for Languages and Liberal Studies, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana.
- , Perth, Australia.
| | | | | | - Kwasi Frimpong
- Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
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The Influence Paths of Agricultural Mechanization on Green Agricultural Development. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132312984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For sustainable agricultural development, increasing efforts are put on promoting agricultural mechanization and green agricultural development all over the world. Based on the panel data of Chinese provincial agriculture from 2002 to 2018, the System Generalized Method of Moments model and mediation model are constructed to explore the paths of agricultural mechanization affecting green agricultural development. The results show that agricultural mechanization can not only promote the green agricultural development directly but also indirectly by transferring the agricultural labor force and increasing fertilizer input. However, because of the surge of pesticide demand, agricultural mechanization also leads to serious pollution indirectly. With the development of large-scale agricultural machinery, the direct promotion of agricultural machinery on green agricultural development will be more significant. However, it will be less efficient to substitute more agricultural labor force with machinery power. The problem of pesticide abuse will also become more serious. Therefore, it is important for green agricultural development to encourage human capital investment in agricultural mechanization. In addition, more attention should be paid to improving the input efficiency of fertilizers and pesticides so that agriculture will be sustainable in production and the ecological environment.
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