A Robotized Raspberry-Based System for Pothole 3D Reconstruction and Mapping

Repairing potholes is a task for municipalities to prevent serious road user injuries and vehicle damage. This study presents a low-cost, high-performance pothole monitoring system to maintain urban roads. The authors developed a methodology based on photogrammetry techniques to predict the pothole's shape and volume. A collection of overlapping 2D images shot by a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 connected to a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been used to create a pothole 3D model. The Raspberry-based configuration has been mounted on an autonomous and remote-controlled robot (developed in the InfraROB European project) to reduce workers' exposure to live traffic in survey activities and automate the process. The outputs of photogrammetry processing software have been validated through laboratory tests set as ground truth; the trial has been conducted on a tile made of asphalt mixture, reproducing a real pothole. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies allowed visualising potholes on a map with information about their centre, volume, backfill material, and an associated image. Ten on-site tests validated that the system works in an uncontrolled environment and not only in the laboratory. The results showed that the system is a valuable tool for monitoring road potholes taking into account construction workers' and road users' health and safety.

Studies of Acceleration of the Human Body during Overturning and Falling from a Height Protected by a Self-Locking Device

The use of individual fall protection equipment is one of the most commonly applied methods of protecting workers whose worksites are located above the floor level. The safety of the user in such a situation depends on both the proper selection and correct use of such equipment. Additionally, aspects such as minimizing the free-fall distance before the fall arrest, as well as quick notification of an accident and efficient rescue operation, are important factors influencing safety. This paper presents a new testing method for fall arrest equipment using a test stand consisting of the Hybrid III 50th Pedestrian ATD anthropomorphic manikin and measuring set with three-axis acceleration transducers. The proposed method and test stand were developed for the design and testing of new fall protection devices equipped with electronic detection and alarm systems, for which it is necessary to determine acceleration limits in order to determine the alarm threshold. The proposed method is based on the measurement of accelerations that occur during tipping and falling from the height of an anthropomorphic manikin secured by a self-locking device. Two places of attachment of the measuring set with a three-axis acceleration sensor were analyzed at the waist belt of the manikin (abdomen and back). Moreover, the self-locking device lanyard was attached to the two points of the safety harnesses (the front and back point). The aim of the research was to check whether the acceleration values depend on the places of attachment of the measuring and anchored system, as well as to determine their maximum values. Acceleration values corresponding to fall arrest and tipping were analyzed. Limits of acceleration have been established in order to determine the threshold of alarm triggering. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used to check whether the location of the three-axis acceleration transducer and the position of the self-locking device lanyard attachment affect the value of the recorded acceleration. For results of acceleration measurements when testing the behavior of the manikin during fall arrest, no statistically significant differences were found. For results of acceleration measurements when testing the tipping behavior of the manikin, statistically significant differences occurred. This means that during fall arrest, the location of the three-axis acceleration transducer and the position of the self-locking device lanyard attachment do not matter. This work is a continuation of previous research on accelerations characterizing human body positions occurring during normal physical activities (ADL-activities of daily living).

Is Injury an Occupational Hazard for Horseracing Staff?

Occupational health is a key priority for the horseracing industry, yet little research on occupational injuries exists. This study investigated the prevalence and the effect of injury in British horseracing staff during a 12-month period. An online retrospective survey was answered by 352 participants, identifying self-reported injury prevalence, injury management practices and attitudes towards workplace injury reporting. Chi Squared tests for independence were undertaken. A total of 310 (88.1%) staff reported injuries; risk factors for injury type included self-perceived job security, working hours, and perceived job control. Physical limitations, loss of confidence, workplace changes, and lifestyle implications were reported as consequences of injury. A total of 75.3% (n = 134) of staff were likely to seek time-off following fractures, but only 48.6% (n = 86) would take time-off for concussion. Attitudes towards injury management were influenced by financial circumstances, perceived staff shortages, previous injury experiences, and perceived employer expectations. The high self-reported injury prevalence could result in decreased workforce efficiency, poor physical health, and negative implications on retention and career longevity. The perception of invisible injuries, i.e., concussion, and subsequent management, should be of immediate concern to racing organizations. This paper identifies recommendations to enhance the safety and wellbeing of horseracing staff.

Analysis method for revealing human and organisational factors of occupational accidents with movement disturbance (OAMDs)

Slips, trips and other movement disturbances account for 20 to 30% of recorded occupational accidents (OAs). The causal representations of these accidents hamper their prevention. An analysis method dedicated to occupational accidents with movement disturbance (OAMDs) has been developed to change these representations. In France, the causal tree method (CTM) is very commonly used for analysing OAs. An initial version of an OAMD analysis method, which overcomes the problems encountered when analysing these accidents using the CTM, has been developed. This OAMD analysis method was reviewed by six targeted prevention officers and as a result some proposals have been discarded and this initial version has been transformed into three additional CTM modules. The purpose of these modules is to identify human and organisational factors and provide a formal representation of damage caused, beyond bodily injuries. Practitioner summary: A method for analysing occupational accidents triggered by a slip, a trip or any other movement disturbance has been developed in consideration of the practices and constraints in companies. In particular, this method allows us to highlight the human and organisational factors involved in the accident situation. Abbreviations: OA: occupational accident; OAMD: occupational accident with movement disturbance; CTM: causal tree method.

Comparison of beautician and hairdressing apprentices with regard to skin health and skin barrier function

Hairdressing and beautician apprentices are at high risk of occupational skin diseases. Our objective was to compare the prevalence of skin symptoms and the condition of skin barrier between them at the end of vocational training. We recruited 101 hairdressing and 76 beautician apprentices (overall median age 17 years), who reported their history of skin symptoms through the Croatian translation of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002) and had their hand skin clinically examined and evaluated with the Osnabrück Hand Eczema Severity Index (OHSI). Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured following the standard procedure. Hairdressing apprentices reported significantly higher prevalence of hand/wrist eczema or urticaria than beautician apprentices (35 % vs 25 %, respectively; P=0.041) and higher severity of current hand eczema [median (range) 1.5 (0-8) vs 0.5 (0-4), respectively; P<0.001] and had higher hand TEWL values in those who washed their hands >20 times a day [median (interquartile range): 24.4 (19.7-33.7) vs 18.8 (15.4-23.2) g/ m2/h, respectively; P<0.001). Hairdressing apprentices had more severe clinical symptoms on the hands, and 83 % of those who reported eczema also reported that exacerbation occurred during practical training in comparison to 38 % of beautician apprentices. Our study is the first to report occupational hand and forearm skin issues in the beautician apprentices and also suggests that more effort is needed to improve training about safety at work, which should be specifically tailored for these two trades.

Factors related to skin health in hairdressing apprentices from two Croatian regions

BACKGROUND

Hairdressing apprentices are at high risk for developing occupational contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to analyse whether there are differences in skin health, skin protection and health-related quality of life between apprentices from two Croatian regions (Zagreb and Dalmatia).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Final-year hairdressing apprentices from Zagreb (n = 101) and Dalmatia (n = 77) were enrolled in the study. Clinical examination of hands was performed by use of the Osnabrück Hand Eczema Severity Index. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was measured on forearm and hand. A history of self-reported skin symptoms, work-related exposure to skin hazards and health-related quality of life were assessed with validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Apprentices from Zagreb reported having been engaged in practical work more days per month than Dalmatian apprentices (median 12 days vs 8 days, respectively, P < 0.001), and washing their hands >20 times per day more frequently (28% vs 10%, respectively, P = 0.004), and consequently more frequently having dry hands (37% vs 16%, respectively, P = 0.002), and significantly higher TEWL values on the hand and forearm, which was confirmed by the results obtained with multiple linear regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher extent of exposure to skin hazards was related to poorer skin barrier function, which confirms the need for improvement of appropriate safety practices in hairdressing schools.

Localization of Vehicle Back-Up Alarms by Users of Level-Dependent Hearing Protectors under Industrial Noise Conditions Generated at a Forge

The use of hearing protectors in various noisy workplaces is often necessary. For safety reasons, auditory information may be required to correctly localize the direction of an auditory danger signal. The purpose of this study was to verify if the selection of a specific level-dependent hearing protector may be important for the ability to localize a vehicle back-up alarm signal. The laboratory conditions reflected industrial conditions, under which an impulse noise was emitted against a background of continuous noise. A passive mode and a level-dependent mode (maximum and incomplete amplification) were considered. Four different models of level-dependent earmuffs and one model of level-dependent earplugs were included in the tests. The tests enabled differentiation between the individual hearing protectors. The use of earplugs in level-dependent mode did not significantly affect the ability to correctly localize the back-up alarm signal. For the earmuffs, the global assessment of the impact of a mode change revealed that, depending on the model of the earmuffs, the impact may be insignificant, but may also result in considerable impairment of the ability to localize the back-up alarm signal.

Youth doing dangerous tasks: Supervision matters

BACKGROUND

Supervisors are partially responsible for ensuring that teens are safe at work. The purpose of this study was to explore whether supervision is related to teens' willingness to do a dangerous task at work.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study consisting of focus groups and a cross-sectional survey was conducted with teens from two public high schools.

RESULTS

If asked by a supervisor, 21% of working teens would do a dangerous task. After controlling for gender and age, teens whose supervisor did not establish weekly goals (AOR = 3.54, 95%CI = 1.55-8.08), teens who perceived their supervisors as not approachable (AOR = 2.35, 95%CI = 1.34-4.13), and teens who were not comfortable talking about safety issues (AOR = 1.97, 95%CI = 1.08-3.61) were more likely to do a dangerous task if asked by their supervisors.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that how teens perceive their supervisor may be associated with whether teens do a dangerous task when asked by their supervisor.

Working beyond 65: a qualitative study of perceived hazards and discomforts at work

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative study explored self-reports of hazards and discomforts in the workplace and coping strategies among those choosing to work beyond the age of 65 years.

PARTICIPANTS

30 people aged 66-91 years took part. Most worked part-time in professional or administrative roles.

METHODS

Each participant engaged in one semi-structured interview.

RESULTS

Participants described some hazards and discomforts in their current work, but no recent accidents. The main age-related discomfort was tiredness. Other hazards that recurred in participants' accounts were physical demands of the job, driving, and interpersonal difficulties such as client or customer complaints, and in very rare cases, bullying. Most work-related hazards (e.g. prolonged sitting at computers, lifting heavy items and driving) were thought likely to affect any worker regardless of age. Coping strategies included making adaptations to age-related changes (such as decreased stamina) by keeping fit and being open about difficulties to colleagues, reducing hours of work, altering roles at work, limiting driving, applying expertise derived from previous work experiences, being assertive, using authority and status, and (among the minority employed in larger organisations) making use of supportive company/organisational policies and practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants described taking individual responsibility for managing hazards at work and perceived little or no elevation of risk linked to age.