Comparing the alternatives for the most favourable personal protective equipment

Understanding key determinants of health climate in building construction projects

Health climate is critical for achieving a better health performance in building construction projects. However, the topic is rarely investigated by extant literature. The aim of this study is to identify key determinants of health climate in building construction projects. To achieve this goal, a hypothesis was established between practitioners' perceptions of health climate and their health status, based on a comprehensive literature review and structured interviews conducted with experienced experts. Then, a questionnaire was developed and administered for data collection. Partial least-squares structural equation modeling was used for data processing and hypothesis test. Results showed that health climate in building construction projects is positively correlated with the health status of the practitioners, and that employment involvement was the most important determinant of health climate in building construction projects, followed by management commitment, and supportive environment. Moreover, significant factors under each determinant of health climate were also disclosed. As limited research has been conducted to examine health climate in building construction projects, this study bridges the knowledge gap and is a contributory work to the current body of knowledge of construction health. Additionally, the findings of this study can provide authorities and practitioners with a deeper understanding of construction health and thereby helping them bring forward more feasible measures to improve health in building construction projects. Thus, this study is useful to the practice as well.

Impact resistance test system for the helmet based on a polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric sensor array

As the most commonly used personal protection equipment (PPE) in various production activities, the impact resistance of the helmet is of great importance. Referred to the conventional experimental method, this study constructs a helmet impact resistance test system with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensor array. Compared with the traditional test method, this study installed PVDF sensors on the contact surface between the headform and the helmet. The stress and its distribution on the headform are measured directly, which is helpful to evaluate the impact resistance of the helmet more accurately and comprehensively. Finally, the intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of peak pressure of the repeated test results are calculated to evaluate the reliability of the test system, which shows high reliability. The test system is helpful for optimization of the helmet production design and further related research.

Miners’ experiences and perceptions of environmental and safety regulations: Statistical evidence from Ebonyi State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Concerns have been raised about compliance with environmental and safety regulations during mining activities. OBJECTIVE: The study assessed miners’ experiences and perceptions of environmental and safety regulations, in addition to comparing their experiences and regulatory perceptions. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for data collection from field miners in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. RESULTS: Findings show that miners still experience environmental pollution and serious injuries during mining activities, notwithstanding regulatory visits. Miners’ perceptions of environmental regulatory requirements and their perceptions of safety regulatory requirements had more non-significant correlations, while miners’ environmental and safety experiences had significant relationships with their perceptions of environmental and safety regulatory requirements. Nonetheless, environmental and safety regulations were perceived in different ways by miners based on important regulatory requirements. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates the importance of using a practical approach in managing environmental and safety issues during mining activities in a developing country like Nigeria.