Tag Archives: occupational health.

674-692 O. Demikhov, Y. Opanasiuk, N. Demikhova and E. Merisalu
A digital transformation into occupational health and safety systems: a review of the best practices in Europe
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A digital transformation into occupational health and safety systems: a review of the best practices in Europe

O. Demikhov¹³, Y. Opanasiuk¹, N. Demikhova²⁴ and E. Merisalu³*

¹Sumy State University, Institute of Business, Economics and Management; Department of Management, Rymsky-Korsakov Str. 2, UA40007 Sumy, Ukraine
²Sumy State University, Medical Institute, Department of Family Medicine,
Rymsky-Korsakov Str. 2, UA40007 Sumy, Ukraine
³Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Chair of Biosystems Engineering, Fr.R. Kreutzwaldi Str. 56, EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
⁴Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu College, Ehitajate tee, 5, EE19086 Tallinn, Estonia
*Correspondence: eda.merisalu@emu.ee

Abstract:

Digitization is actively spreading and widely implemented in the occupational health and safety (OHS) systems. Progressive technologies make it possible to effectively implement digitalised systems in all the elements of management cycle – from planning to monitoring, evaluation and solutions in the different economy sectors.

Aim. The purpose of the article is to give a review on the current state of digital transformation in OHS policy of European countries and Ukraine and identify the positive and negative aspects of digitization in OHS management systems.

Method. The review is based on full research articles, reports and conference proceedings in Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar database, where the keywords ‘digitization’, ‘occupational health’, ‘safety’, ‘robots’ and ‘management systems’ for literature search have used. Results. In total 51 sources were under analysis, including 23 full research articles and 28 publications from EU-OSHA, ILO and OECD. The database formation and use of big data systems and control tools for monitoring and assessing work environment, digital guidelines, legislation and e-teaching platforms are the main digital instruments in OHS management systems. Use of workplace navigator programs helps to collect necessary information and make right regulations by the law. Use of new digital technologies allows more effectively perform OHS inspection, service and risk prevention functions, and diminish work related injuries and illnesses.

Conclusions. A new ideology of public policy in developing digitalised OHS management systems (DOHSS) will make the evidence-based solutions effective and achieve high safety standards and stimulate business growth of specific industries on the national and EU level. The best European experiences of digital transformation into OHS management systems can be implemented also in Ukraine.

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1388-1397 R. Vaher and E. Merisalu
The impact of training on safety performance in agriculture: A scoping review
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The impact of training on safety performance in agriculture: A scoping review

R. Vaher* and E. Merisalu

Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Forestry and Engineering,
Chair of Biosystems Engineering, Str Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 56/1, EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: ragne.vaher@emu.ee

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to analyse the effectiveness of occupational health and safety (OHS) training methods on safety behaviour of farmers and agricultural workers based on literature results. The scoping review intends to find out the main gaps in teaching methodology influencing safety performance of employers and employees in agriculture. A systematic search of literature with help of predefined search strings (agriculture, education, effectiveness, farmer, farm worker, intervention, safety, training) in two literature databases (Scopus, EBSCO) was carried out. It was analysed, how effectively different training methods improved safety awareness and performance of farmers, students and employees. The strength of the evidence on training’s effectiveness was assessed for existence of control or comparison group, pre- and
post-testing, follow-up testing, statistical significance testing, clear methodology description and thorough study overview were presented.

In the primary literature research, 276 articles were identified. A total of 224 articles were left after the exclusion of redundant publications. After the abstracts’ screening 52 publications met the eligibility criteria. After the full text screening by two independent researchers additionally 33 studies were excluded, and in total 19 studies entered into the data charting process. The articles were assessed as medium (n = 8) and high (n = 8) in terms of strength of evidence. According to the review results, the training methods used in the agricultural sector have shown as effective due to the safety awareness and risk behavior among the trainees improved, but new OHS knowledge after training need to be engaged and regularly updated.

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449-456 J. Paju
Research of parameters of light emitting diode lamps and their suitability for lighting of working areas
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Research of parameters of light emitting diode lamps and their suitability for lighting of working areas

J. Paju

Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate 5, EE19086 Tallinn, Estonia;e-mail: jana.paju@ttu.ee

Abstract:

The current paper describes the results obtained during several experiments inTallinn University and Tallinn University of Technology considering the parameters of lightemitting diode (LED) lamps. Four different LED lamps were investigated, all of them defined(by vendors and/or manufacturers) fitting to replace a 60 W incandescent lamp. The lampsinvestigated were the only ones fitting the definition and possible to purchase from vendors inTallinn, Estonia in the beginning of year 2012, when the experiments were carried out. Severalmethods were used to determine parameters such as: working temperature of luminaires,illuminance, working power, the spectrum of created light, the flicker produced. According tothe results of flickering, frequency and the modulation index of the flickering were calculated.The purpose of the research was to draw conclusions concerning the hypothesis, that byreplacing a 60 W incandescent lamp (IL) with a fitting LED lamp, the lamp that uses lesselectrical power is equivalent to the previously popular IL by the spectral properties as well asthe produced illuminance. Conclusions were also drawn considering the influence of such lighton people exposed to it. Key words: LED lamps, working temperature of luminaires, illuminance, working power ofluminaires, spectrum of light, flickering of light, occupational health, colour rendering index.

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479-486 A. Traumann, P. Tint, O. Järvik and V. Oja
Management of health hazards during shale oil handling
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Management of health hazards during shale oil handling

A. Traumann, P. Tint*, O. Järvik and V. Oja

Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate 5, EE19086 Tallinn, Estonia;
*Correspondence: piia.tint@ttu.ee

Abstract:

The current paper describes the investigations in Tallinn University of Technology ofthe hazardous gaseous phase during handling of shale fuel oil. The combined-method gaschromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for determination of the gaseouscomponents evaporating from the shale fuel oil during handling. Parallel measurements weremade using Dräger tubes. The model for determination of risk levels to the workers’ health iscompiled. The occupational illness stages are developed using statistical data of diagnoses madeby the occupational health doctors. In the case of benzene, xylene, toluene and phenol, the mainhealth impairments are divided into two different groups – irritating and neurotoxic effects.According to the proposed model, the exposure to toluene and xylene poses a justified risk (risklevel II), benzene and phenol an unjustified risk (risk level III). Without any additional controlmeasures applied, the risk for occupational diseases caused by these chemicals is significant.

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