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Food contact materials (FCMs) can contain hazardous chemicals that may have the potential to migrate into food and pose a health hazard for humans. Previous studies have mainly focused on plastic materials, while data on packaging materials made from paper and cardboard are limited. We used a panel of cell-based bioassays to investigate the presence and impact of bioactive chemicals on human relevant endpoints like oxidative stress, genotoxicity, inflammation, xenobiotic metabolism and endocrine system effects in extracts made from paper and cardboard. In total, 23 methanol extracts of commonly used paper and cardboard available on the Swedish market were extracted as a whole product using methanol to retrieve polar substances, and tested at concentrations 0.3–10 mg/mL and 0.2–6 mg/mL. At the highest concentration bioactivities were observed in a high proportion of the samples: oxidative stress (52%), genotoxicity (100%), xenobiotic metabolism (74%), antiandrogenic- (52%) and antioestrogenic receptor (39%). Packages of potential concern included cake/pastry boxes/mats, boxes for infant formula/skimmed milk, pizza boxes, pizza slice trays and bag of cookies. It should be noted that the extraction for packages like cake/pastry boxes can be considered exaggerated, as the exposure usually is shorter. It can be hypothesised that the observed responses may be explained by inks, coatings, contaminants and/or naturally occurring compounds within the material. To summarise, an effect-based approach enables hazard identification of chemicals within FCMs, which is a valuable tool for ensuring safe use of FCMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazard identification is a fundamental step in safety management that has the potential to reduce the number and severity of occupational injuries on construction sites. Researchers have identified and evaluated some of the hazards, but few have extensively discussed all of them and none have classified them by sector. The goal of this paper is to fill that research gap by considering hazard identification through an organized synthesis of the existing literature. After a comprehensive literature review, 236 publications were deemed eligible for further analysis. Eighteen safety hazards were identified and then categorized into four groups based on their physiological impacts, ranked based on frequency of citation, and classified by sector. The results revealed that falls from heights, material handling, and heavy machinery were the most frequently cited hazards and the most likely to impact all sectors. Mitigation strategies were also identified, and it was determined that most hazards can be mitigated through the use of personal protective equipment, and effective training and supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction process is a dynamic one, and the complexity of the working conditions and the high level of uncertainty make the construction industry the third most dangerous industry after mining and agriculture. And since the construction industry is vital to the development of a country, safety during construction is of particular importance. A great deal of research, studies and practices have been conducted to reduce potential risks and improve worker efficiency during the construction process. In recent years, with the rapid development of cognitive neuroscience and the integration of medical technology, various wearable monitoring devices have been widely used in the field of building construction for real-time monitoring of workers' physical and mental conditions. Among them, the application of EEG (electroencephalogram) in the building construction process enables researchers to gain insight into the physical and mental state of construction workers while performing construction tasks. This paper introduces EEG technology and portable EEG monitoring equipment and summarizes its application in monitoring workers' adverse reactions (emotion, fatigue, psychological burden, and vigilance) and construction hazard identification during the process of construction in recent years, which provides future EEG research in the field of building construction and construction site safety management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of East China University of Science & Technology is the property of Journal of East China University of Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For mining engineering and geological engineering, the deformation and fracture of coal and rock are the essential causes of dynamic disasters. In this paper, the loading experimental system was established on gas-bearing coal, to study the internal relationship between the spatial distribution of EP and the development process of damaging localization on coal mass. The results indicated the temporal response of EP signal could reflect the stress state and damage degree of gas-bearing coal, showing the precursor feather when coal mass failed. Particularly, when the stress dropped suddenly, the EP signal has a sudden mutation, and the acoustic emission (AE) signal suffered the pulsed increase, while the crack grew and expanded rapidly. Furthermore, when local severe damage occurs inside the coal mass, there was abnormal EP spatial distribution with high-value or dense contours in these zones, where simultaneously AE rupture events frequently occurred, and cracks expanded and gathered. The characteristics of EP spatial distribution can reveal the development process of coal mass damaging localization. Meanwhile, the mentioned zones with abnormal EP distribution above are hazard sources inducing coal mass’s instability and failure. The study results provide the foundational research work of fine forecasting on coal and gas outburst disaster hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental perception system is the foundation of unmanned driving systems and also the fundamental guarantee of the safety and intelligence of unmanned vehicles. The obstacle hazard identification technology is the core of the environment perception system, and it is also the basic condition for the autonomous driving of unmanned vehicles. In view of the complexity of obstacle danger identification, this research paper designs an improved Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) Algorithm for hazard recognition of obstacles in unmanned scenes through a systematic approach. First, it highlights the significance of morphological component analysis in identifying non-smooth regions within images where obstacles are likely to be present. Second, it introduces a novel approach for core point definition by identifying an optimal MinDensity value based on the curvature of the density distribution curve. Third, it addresses variations in density sequences through smoothing and normalization. Finally, it constructs an improved DBSCAN Algorithm for hazard recognition of obstacles in unmanned scenes. It addresses limitations in the traditional DBSCAN by refining the core point definition using an adaptive density threshold. It identifies the "elbow point" in density distribution, enhancing its ability to distinguish density states. Additionally, it incorporates density curve smoothing, normalization, and a merger step for handling stationary objects. The results show that it has high accuracy (95.6%), precision (96.3%), recall (94.5%), and F-Score (95.4%), as well as increased consistency (92.5%) and dependability (93.2%). It also has fast real-time data processing, lasting only 0.12 s, making it an excellent choice for obstacle detection and unmanned hazard avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a responsive analysis of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in risk management, contrasting traditional approaches with those augmented by AI and highlighting the challenges and opportunities that emerge. AI, intense learning methodologies such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have been identified as pivotal in extracting meaningful insights from image data, a form of analysis that holds significant potential in identifying and managing risks across various industries. The research methodology involves a strategic selection and processing of images for analysis and introduces three case studies that serve as benchmarks for evaluation. These case studies showcase the application of AI, in place of image processing capabilities, to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and suggest control measures. The comparative evaluation focuses on the accuracy, relevance, and practicality of the AI-generated findings alongside the system's response time and comprehensive understanding of the context. Results reveal that AI can significantly enhance risk assessment processes, offering rapid and detailed insights. However, the study also recognises the intrinsic limitations of AI in contextual interpretation, advocating for a synergy between technological and domain-specific expertise. The conclusion underscores the transformative potential of AI in risk management, supporting continued research to further integrate AI effectively into risk assessment frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the dynamic and complex nature of a construction jobsite, workers' safety is significantly connected to both their ability to efficiently scan their surrounding environment and their ability to anticipate and identify potentially hazardous sources in a timely manner. However, existing studies have failed to consider the spatial-temporal characteristics of high-risk construction hazards as well as the limited training available for enhancing workers' hazard anticipation. Accordingly, this study (1) examines the impact of dynamic hazards' spatiotemporal characteristics on construction workers' hazard identification and anticipation performance, and (2) proposes and illustrates a new methodological approach that harnesses cue perception timing to assemble a coherent cognitive model of situational awareness. To achieve these objectives, this study combines subjective survey measurements with such technologies as 360° video panoramas and wearable psychophysiological sensors to examine 30 construction workers' hazard search strategies, timely hazard identification performance, and spatial attentional distribution. The results of this study demonstrate that workers' hazard anticipation abilities are differentially influenced by both spatial and temporal characteristics of dynamic hazards: (1) most workers failed to distribute their spatial attention across the 360° construction environment and missed hazards outside their field of view (behind or overhead), highlighting the importance of attentional orienting; (2) most workers failed to identify emerging hazard cues that would enable anticipating latent hazards; and (3) many workers failed to develop a correct situational awareness framework because they had improper cue-perception timing. The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering the unique spatiotemporal characteristics of dynamic hazards to properly predict workers' true hazard anticipation abilities. Furthermore, the findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insight into developing effective safety training strategies to enhance workers' situational awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of East China University of Science & Technology is the property of Journal of East China University of Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The evergreen process hazard analysis (PHA) is an essential next step in hazard identification, risk analysis, and process safety risk management. The evergreen PHA addresses weaknesses in PHA practices that allow the facility PHA to degrade and become out‐of‐date during the periods between 5‐year revalidations. This degradation in the PHA has the potential to elevate safety risk in the facility. This paper outlines prerequisites and initial steps that support moving to evergreen PHA. Initial steps include developing the document flow process, establishing triggering events, and defining the PHA protocol for interim PHA studies. A phased approach for implementing evergreen PHA is outlined. Challenges and barriers, real and perceived, are discussed along with solutions. The implementation of a well‐designed and maintained evergreen PHA process not only supports better awareness of hazards within the facility but also allows for continual improvement of the PHA. Five‐year revalidation efforts may be reimagined and refocused to be more effective and to use resource time more efficiently. These benefits can ultimately contribute to safer and more reliable operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacture and production of industrial chemicals continues to increase, with hundreds of thousands of chemicals and chemical mixtures used worldwide, leading to widespread population exposures and resultant health impacts. Low-wealth communities and communities of color often bear disproportionate burdens of exposure and impact; all compounded by regulatory delays to the detriment of public health. Multiple authoritative bodies and scientific consensus groups have called for actions to prevent harmful exposures via improved policy approaches. We worked across multiple disciplines to develop consensus recommendations for health-protective, scientific approaches to reduce harmful chemical exposures, which can be applied to current US policies governing industrial chemicals and environmental pollutants. This consensus identifies five principles and scientific recommendations for improving how agencies like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approach and conduct hazard and risk assessment and risk management analyses: (1) the financial burden of data generation for any given chemical on (or to be introduced to) the market should be on the chemical producers that benefit from their production and use; (2) lack of data does not equate to lack of hazard, exposure, or risk; (3) populations at greater risk, including those that are more susceptible or more highly exposed, must be better identified and protected to account for their real-world risks; (4) hazard and risk assessments should not assume existence of a "safe" or "no-risk" level of chemical exposure in the diverse general population; and (5) hazard and risk assessments must evaluate and account for financial conflicts of interest in the body of evidence. While many of these recommendations focus specifically on the EPA, they are general principles for environmental health that could be adopted by any agency or entity engaged in exposure, hazard, and risk assessment. We also detail recommendations for four priority areas in companion papers (exposure assessment methods, human variability assessment, methods for quantifying non-cancer health outcomes, and a framework for defining chemical classes). These recommendations constitute key steps for improved evidence-based environmental health decision-making and public health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of robotics and automation (RA) within construction operations to combat stagnant productivity, high rates of injuries and fatalities, and a declining workforce is increasing. However, utilizing RA for construction operations creates human-robot interactions (HRIs) that can lead to the emergence of novel hazards or exacerbate existing safety risk levels. These hazards, if ignored, could worsen worker safety performance. This paper presents a study intended to identify critical HRI safety risks and develop a pre-task planning protocol for the assessment of safety risks associated with the use of RA. To achieve this goal, the authors utilized a sequential multi-phase approach relying on information obtained from a literature review, a 3-round Delphi process consisting of a panel of experts from industry and academia, and interviews with safety experts. Forty hazards associated with RA and 20 potential strategies for the mitigation of HRI safety risks were identified and evaluated. This information was used to develop a safety risk assessment tool that yields an overall risk rating of using RA. This study contributes to knowledge and practice by identifying and quantifying critical safety risks associated with HRI and developing a tool to assess and mitigate unique HRI safety risks. Utilizing insights developed in this study could improve construction worker safety and health and aid the industry's increasing push towards a smart and safe workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering Geology / Gongcheng Dizhi Xuebao is the property of Journal of Engineering Geology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The identification of hazards and risk assessment are key factors in the safety of the industries, including power plants. This paper contains an original risk analysis method that increases the level of safety in commissioning and start-up operations. With the proposed method, which has been tested in real industrial facilities, it has been possible to increase the safety of the system and reduce the likelihood of incidents and accidents in one of the most dangerous stages of project construction activities. This paper also gives an overview of the processes and procedures used in the construction of power plants compared to other industry sectors, proposing some areas for potential improvement. It has been verified that temporary systems used during commissioning apply risk evaluation techniques that do not consider some aspects related to process hazards, something that can be important for the prevention of accidents that historically happen at this stage. Analysis of the data has determined that, in these stages, there have been incidents and accidents, some of them severe. Thus, in this paper, a methodology is proposed. The method allows addressing the particularities of the execution of temporary systems in a safe way by putting into practice an agile and flexible method that can be applied to these particular systems, so that the risk levels can be reduced. The method was applied to one real application representative of this kind of system and yielded excellent results. The proposed methodology is highly recommended as an improvement for the power industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cascading propagation and evolution of metro operation failures can significantly impact the safety of metro operation. To overcome this challenge, this study pre-processes a massive amount of metro operation log data through noise reduction. Moreover, a professional terminology dictionary is constructed along with a custom stop-word dictionary to segment the preprocessed data. Subsequently, the AFP-tree algorithm is employed to mine the segmented log data and identify key hazards. A weighted urban rail transit network is established, considering the effective path time cost, and the shortest travel OD path. To simulate the dynamic evolution of the failure chain propagation, a model based on disaster propagation theory is constructed. Taking the Shanghai Metro line as a case, multiple simulation scenarios are established with 25 key hazards as triggering points, and the number of cascade failure stations affected under different scenarios is outputted. The results indicate that the fault stations caused by the large passenger flow are the largest. Meanwhile, the number of stations affected by the door clamp is the smallest. The scale of fault stations reaches a maximum value in 16–20 min. Through case analysis, a positive correlation is found when the self-recovery factor is between 14 and 18, and the number of fault stations shows a significant increasing trend. The research results can provide decision-making support and theoretical guidance for rail transit operation safety management enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Yellow River is the property of Editorial Board of Yellow River and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Railway Signalling & Communication Engineering is the property of Railway Signalling & Communication Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Evaluation of water inrush risk is becoming increasingly important as coal mining activities reach greater depths. Hazard identification, as well as hazard analysis, is the first step in accident prevention. However, there have not been any studies that focus on the hazard analysis system for mine water inrush. In this paper, hazard identification and its definitions are briefly summarized and a comprehensive review of methods for hazard identification and classification are conducted. To illustrate the hazard of coal mine water inrush, data on coal mine accidents (since 2001) are collected and hundreds water inrush accidents were analyzed in depth. Empirical, statistical analysis and case study method were used to conduct the research. By collecting a large number of mine water inrush cases, hazard identification and risk control measures for coal mine water inrush accidents were conducted. Hazard identification method based on fault tree analysis, as well as a method based on management oversight and risk tree (MORT) and energy release theory were put forward. The analysis results show that the historical information and experiences are critically important in hazard identification of mine water inrush. Hazard of mine water inrush is divided into dynamic root hazard and static root hazard which can be further categorized into static innate hazard and dynamic-triggered hazard. Strategies for risk control of mine water inrush are combined into three aspects: engineering controls, operation system controls, and human behavior controls. Finally, a case study of the Taoyuan coal mine was conducted to illustrate the proposed system, with limitations and future studies are discussed. The hazard identification and classification system can be broadly applied to coal mines and will improve risk control and prevention of mine water inrush accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The setting of concentrations for testing substances in ecotoxicological studies is often based on fractions of the concentrations that cause 50% mortality (LC50 or LD50) rather than environmentally relevant levels. This practice can result in exposures to animals at test concentrations that are magnitudes of order greater than those experienced in the environment. Often, such unrealistically high concentrations may cause non-specific biochemical or morphologic changes that primarily reflect the near-lethal health condition of the animal subjects, as opposed to effects characteristic of the particular test compound. Meanwhile, it is recognized that for many chemicals, the toxicologic mode of action (MOA) responsible for lethality may differ entirely from the MOAs that cause various sublethal effects. One argument for employing excessively high exposure concentrations in sublethal studies is to ensure the generation of positive toxicological effects, which can then be used to establish safety thresholds; however, it is possible that the pressure to produce exposure-related effects may also contribute to false positive outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to explore issues involving some current usages of acute LC50 data in ecotoxicology testing, and to propose an alternative strategy for performing this type of research moving forward. Toward those ends, a brief literature survey was conducted to gain an appreciation of methods that are currently being used to set test concentrations for sublethal definitive studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the safety issue of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) has become a hot topic. Preliminary hazard analysis of MASS can assist autonomous ship design and ensure safe and reliable operation. However, since MASS technology is still at its early stage, there are not enough data for comprehensive hazard analysis. Hence, this paper attempts to combine conventional ship data and MASS experiments to conduct a preliminary hazard analysis for autonomy level III MASS using the hybrid causal logic (HCL) method. Firstly, the hazardous scenario of autonomy level III MASS is developed using the event sequence diagram (ESD). Furthermore, the fault tree (FT) method is utilized to analyze mechanical events in ESD. The events involving human factors and related to MASS in the ESD are analyzed using Bayesian Belief Network (BBN). Finally, the accident probability of autonomy level III MASS is calculated in practice through historical data and a test ship with both an autonomous and a remote navigation mode in Wuhan and Nanjing, China. Moreover, the key influence factors are found, and the accident-causing event chains are identified, thus providing a reference for MASS design and safety assessment process. This process is applied to the preliminary hazard analysis of the test ship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoplastics are associated with several risks to the ecology and toxicity to humans. Nanoplastics are synthetic polymers with dimensions ranging from 1 nm to 1 μm. They are directly released to the environment or secondarily derived from plastic disintegration in the environment. Nanoplastics are widely detected in environmental samples and the food chain; therefore, their potentially toxic effects have been widely explored. In the present review, an overview of another two potential sources of nanoplastics, exposure routes to illustrate hazard identification of nanoplastics, cell internalization, and effects on intracellular target organelles are presented. In addition, challenges on the study of nanoplastics and future research areas are summarized. This paper also summarizes some approaches to eliminate or minimize the levels of nanoplastics to ensure environmental safety and improve human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential to use alternative fuels if we are to reach the emission reduction targets set by the IMO. Hydrogen carriers are classified as zero-emission, while having a higher energy density (including packing factor) than pure hydrogen. They are often considered as safe alternative fuels. The exact definition of what safety entails is often lacking, both for hydrogen carriers as well as for ship safety. The aim of this study is to review the safety of hydrogen carriers from two perspectives, investigating potential connections between the chemical and maritime approaches to safety. This enables a reasoned consideration between safety aspects and other design drivers in ship design and operation. The hydrogen carriers AB, NaBH 4 , KBH 4 and two LOHCs (NEC and DBT) are taken into consideration, together with a couple reference fuels (ammonia, methanol and MDO). After the evaluation of chemical properties related to safety and the scope of the current IMO safety framework, it can be concluded that safety remains a vague and non-explicit concept from both perspectives. Therefore, further research is required to prove the safe application of hydrogen carriers onboard ships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lolak Bolaang Mongondow Airport Runway and Taxiway Project represents one of the emerging airport developments characterized by a heightened susceptibility to accidents. Occupational Safety and Health (K3), an integral component of multifaceted initiatives aimed at mitigating workplace accidents while augmenting labor productivity and efficiency, has been effectively integrated into this undertaking. Among the methodologies employed for its implementation, the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Risk Control (HIRARC) approach takes precedence. The primary objective of this research is to meticulously identify hazards, conduct a comprehensive analysis of workplace safety risks, and institute measures to curtail these risks within the scope of the Lolak Bolaang Mongondow Airport Runway and Taxiway project. This endeavor seeks to curtail, and ideally eliminate, workplace accidents. Data acquisition was facilitated through a combination of observational techniques and structured interviews with service providers and construction contractors, involving 63 respondents. To ascertain the categorization of risk levels, spanning from low to high, a meticulous workplace safety risk analysis was executed. The outcome of this analysis, encompassing a total of 69 subitems of work, reveals that the highest risk level is attributed to runway construction work, accounting for 53% of the identified risks (9 out of 17). The second-highest risk category pertains to PKP-PK work, constituting 40% of the 40 identified risks, and the third-highest risk level is linked to operational road pavement construction, with a risk percentage of 31%. Subsequent to Djoni Hermanus Lalenoh, Arestides K. Torry Dundu, Lucia. I. R. Lefrandt, Audie Lexie Egbert Rumayar, Grace Yoyce Malingkas the identification and assessment of risks, risk control measures are diligently executed. This phase signifies the culmination of data processing within the framework of the HIRARC methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aircraft electrical system provides power for the normal operation of the aircraft. Its normal operation is critical to ensure the safe flight of the aircraft. Therefore, it is very important to identify the hazards in the aircraft electrical system. In this paper, a hazard identification and prediction system which can intelligently identify potential hazards in aircraft electrical system is proposed. The proposed hazard identification and prediction system mainly includes three processes: variable selection, hazard identification, and hazard prediction. In the process of variable selection, the stepwise regression analysis is used to select 8 main parameters that have the major influence on the DC bus voltage value from 18 parameters. In the process of hazard identification, support vector machine is used to identify pre-existing hazards in electrical system based on the status of all components. The identification accuracy of the support vector machine is 92.3%. When the electrical system does not have unacceptable hazards, a prediction of the variation range of the DC bus voltage value in the aircraft electrical system is performed. The average prediction relative error of support vector machine is only 0.86%. Overall, the identification accuracy and average prediction relative error show that the proposed hazard identification and prediction system can accurately and effectively identify and predict the hazards in the aircraft electrical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the use of a suite of extraction procedures applicable to the assessment of the in vitro toxicity of paper/board samples intended for food-contact applications. The sample is extracted with ethanol, water, or exposed to modified polyphenylene oxide (Tenax®) for fatty, non-fatty and dry food applications, respectively. The water extracts are directly suitable for safety assessment using in vitro bioassays. The ethanol extracts of the paper/board and of the exposed Tenax require pre-concentration to give acceptable sensitivity. This is because the in vitro bioassays can tolerate only a small percentage of added organic solvent before the solvent itself inhibits. The extraction procedures have been selected such that they mimic the foreseeable conditions of use with foods and that they are also fully compatible with the battery of in vitro biological assays for the safety assessment of the total migrate. The application of the extraction protocols is illustrated by the results for one of the many paper/board samples provided by the BIOSAFEPAPER project industrial platform members. The assessment indicated that this sample should not be considered as suitable for use with fatty foodstuffs but was suitable for dry and non-fatty foods. Information subsequently received from the manufacturer revealed that this was a non-food-grade product included in the project to test the capabilities of the bioassay procedures. The selection criteria for the test conditions and the suite of methods developed have been prepared in Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) format and is currently being progressed by CEN/TC172 as a European Standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batteries and hydrogen constitute two of the most promising solutions for decarbonising international shipping. This paper presents the comparison between a battery and a proton-exchange membrane hydrogen fuel cell version of a high-speed catamaran ferry with a main focus on safety. The systems required for each version are properly sized and fitted according to the applicable rules, and their impact on the overall design is discussed. Hazards for both designs were identified; frequency and consequence indexes for them were input qualitatively, following Novel Technology Qualification and SOLAS Alternative Designs and Arrangements, while certain risk control options were proposed in order to reduce the risks of the most concerned accidental events. The highest ranked risks were analysed by quantitative risk assessments in PyroSim software. The gas dispersion analysis performed for the hydrogen version indicated that it is crucial for the leakage in the fuel cell room to be stopped within 1 s after being detected to prevent the formation of explosive masses under full pipe rupture of 33 mm diameter, even with 120 air changes per hour. For the battery version, the smoke/fire simulation in the battery room indicated that the firefighting system could achieve a 30% reduction in fire duration, with firedoors closed and ventilation shut, compared to the scenario without a firefighting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power systems and their primary components, mostly the transmission and distribution of overhead lines, substations, and other power facilities, are distributed in space and are exposed to various atmospheric and meteorological conditions. These conditions carry a certain level of risk for reliable electrical power delivery. Various atmospheric hazards endanger the operation of power systems, where the most significant are thunderstorms, wildfire events, and floods which can cause various ranges of disturbances, faults, and damages to the power grid, or even negatively affect the quality of life. By utilizing a weather monitoring and early warning system, it is possible to ensure a faster reaction against different weather-caused fault detections and elimination, to ensure a faster and more adequate preparation for fighting extreme weather events, while maintaining overhead line protection and fault elimination. Moreso, it is possible to bypass overhead lines that have the highest risk of unfavorable meteorological events and hazards, and reroute the energy, thus providing electricity to endangered areas in times of need while minimizing blackouts, and consequently, improving the quality of human life. This paper will present an analysis of the various risks of atmospheric phenomena, in the meteorological and climate context, and discuss various power system components, the power system control, operations, planning, and power quality. A concept with the main functionalities and data sources needed for the establishment of an early warning weather hazard system will be proposed. The proposed solution can be used as a utility function in power system control to mitigate risks to the power system due to atmospheric influences and ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aircraft power supply system provides power for all the electrical equipment on the aircraft. Its normal operation is the key to ensure the safe flight of the aircraft. So, identifying the hazards in aircraft power supply system is necessary and critically important. In this paper, a hazard identification system for APSS based on the combined simulation of SIMPLORER and MATLAB is proposed. First, the different main fault modes in the aircraft power supply system are set on the control interface. Then, through the simulation model established on SIMPLORER, the aircraft power supply system power supply logic simulation is realized in the set fault mode. Finally, the simulation result is sent to the MATLAB to complete an identification process by using support vector machine method. The final state of each component and the identification result are shown in the control interface. The hazard identification system proposed in this paper has strong data interactivity and it can be applied to online hazard identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazard identification in the construction industry is subject to a larger number of variables and unknowns than in other manufacturing industries making the hazard identification process more difficult and resulting in many injuries and fatalities. Moreover, previous research identified a research gap with regards to a universal hazard identification method. The results presented in this paper are a prerequisite for the development of such a method. Specifically, this paper proposes a novel classification of hazards in order to enable a more accurate hazard identification process which can take all possible hazards into consideration. Based on the theoretical framework, three hazard types are proposed in the research: self-induced hazards, peer-induced hazards, and global hazards. This classification is based on who is the source (who causes) the hazards in relation to who is affected by the hazards. Such classification was not identified in previous literature. This research also has practical implications. Such classification of hazards may influence safety experts to more actively focus on peer-induced hazards which are the hardest to identify. Finally, the outputs of the entire research should enable a more accurate and comprehensive hazard identification resulting in reduced injury and fatality rates in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in training approaches and technology have identified the need to improve training in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH). While many researchers have examined the use of augmented reality (AR) and technology-based classrooms to enhance conventional training practices, quantitative evidence for their effectiveness and motivational impact remains scarce. To contribute to filling this research gap, an AR-based application was developed to enhance OSH training. The enhanced training session was conducted in a closed, safe environment with ten participants with no background in OSH. Pre-test, post-test, and instructional material motivation surveys (IMMS) using a five-point Likert scale were deployed to measure the effectiveness and motivational impact in accordance with the respective ARCS factors. The empirical results obtained show that participants performed significantly better in the post-tests than in the pre-tests (mean = 14.60, s = 1.71, t(9) = -12.11 with p-value < 0.001). The IMMS results show that the perceived motivation arising from the AR-based application resulted in the highest mean score for the satisfaction factor (4.80) followed by the relevance (4.65), confidence (4.60), and attention (4.55) factors. The results of the evaluation suggest that the AR-based application boosted participants' active learning behavior, engagement, and interest during the enhanced training session and produced a better learning outcome and experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterial is used in several items (implant materials, pills composition, cosmetics, etc.). Although TiO2 is no longer considered safe as a food additive, the general population is exposed daily through different routes, and information is lacking on some aspects of animal and human health. This study evaluated liver and kidney toxicity of food-grade TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) (primary size < 25 nm) in male and female rats that were orally exposed for 5 days to 0, 1, and 2 mg/kg body weight per day (comparable with daily E171 consumption). Selected liver and kidney toxicity endpoints included serum biomarkers, histopathological analysis and expression of osteopontin (SPP1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Although TiO2 NPs are known to affect the gastric mucosa, short-term exposure induced sex-specific effects: general toxicity parameters were predominantly altered in female rats, whereas the liver appeared to be more affected than the kidneys in male rats, which also showed overexpression of NPY and SPP1. In the kidneys, the TiO2 NP effects were quantitatively similar but qualitatively different in the two sexes. In conclusion, careful consideration should be paid to the presence of TiO2 NPs in other items that can lead to human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In parallel with the dynamic development of rail transport in terms of vehicle design, control systems, infrastructure issues, the development of processes and procedures in the area of safety management must also progress. This growing awareness was confirmed, among other things, by harmonising the content of the regulations on railway safety and interoperability, the safety certification of railway undertakings and the definition of the tasks and roles of national safety authorities. In effect, this was to enable the development of a single European railway area. An implementation tool that allows for a systematic approach to safety management processes and that enables the above requirements to be met is, among other things, RAMS analyses. A key step in the safety management process for specifying RAMS is hazard identification, which is particularly highlighted in PN EN 50126-2:2018 through the holistic model for risk assessment and control of railway system hazards (hourglass model). It places the hazard identification process in two stages, i.e. in the early development stage of the analysis (similar to other known risk management models) and in the hazard control stage. This positioning alone indicates the importance of the hazard identification process. On the comprehensiveness and detail of its implementation depends the validity of the final outcome of the RAMS analysis. The development of such a process for real technical facilities in a way that is consistent with the needs of RAMS analyses and, at the same time, ensures that satisfactory results of these analyses are achieved, has become the subject of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

History has shown that maintenance contributes to accidents with extensive losses. The purpose of this paper is to describe a process approach for maintenance-related hazard identification, in order to support continuous risk reduction in maintenance activities. The proposed maintenance process model has been applied within a study of maintenance execution of DC-motors in paper-mills. However, both the model and the findings from its application are believed to be transferable to the maintenance of other critical technical systems. A recurring hazard is insufficient feedback. Hence, proper feedback may help to reduce risk. Further findings indicate that incidents manifested during execution may be due to hazards in other process phases. The maintenance of complex and critical systems is also affected by the work environmental and knowledge of technicians, whose requirements should be fulfilled through appropriate organizational and technical support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results from more than 50 incidents attributed in part to the process safety risks associated with abnormal, transient operations during start‐ups and shut‐downs. A transient operation is defined in this paper as the time when the process is in transition between one operating state and another. In particular, the transient operations‐related focus is on the time when equipment is taken from its safe, idle state to its safe operating conditions (a start‐up) and vice versa, when the equipment is then taken back to its safe, idle state (a shut‐down). There are 10 different start‐up and shut‐down operating modes during normal operations, abnormal operations, and emergency operations. The incidents in this review were attributed to weaknesses in administrative controls that did not work as planned and engineering controls that did not perform as expected. Due to these weaknesses, unexpected events occurred, resulting in quick decisions made without adequately understanding the hazards, evaluating the risks, or managing the changes. In many cases, had the asset integrity and reliability program been in place or effective operational readiness review performed before attempting the process restarts, the risks associated with the transient operating mode could have been reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper highlights the results of a study that examined the employees' expertise and awareness of occupational hazards in their work environment. The research involved a survey conducted in the form of a short questionnaire among employees responsible for loading and hauling of excavated material in an opencast mine. Among 23 major hazards that were thus identified, there were global hazards (affecting the entire mining process) as well as local, task-specific hazards. Depending on the number of responses, 10 local and 3 global hazards were identified in the analyzed area, involving noise, stress and dust. Active participation of the crew in the risk identification process helped in the assessment of their criticality levels, according to employees carrying out various task, highlighting the benefits of such approach for effective work safety management in a mining company. The conducted research demonstrated yet another goal to be achieved - i.e. the comparison of criticality levels of hazards as identified by employees and those reported in occupational risk assessment reports in the mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dow Chemical Company has provided for international use a set of tools to help other companies effectively understand and manage their process safety hazards and risks, helping the global process safety community improve their process safety performance. The tools described in this paper were generously donated to the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) and the European Process Safety Centre (EPSC). What makes this donation special is that small and large companies can use the Risk Analysis Screening Tool (RAST) and the Chemical Hazards Engineering Fundamentals (CHEF) tools to help validate, screen, and prioritize between their process risks. Each company can download and configure RAST to assess for and ensure compliance with their company‐specific risk matrix: their risk tolerance criteria. RAST can be applied to existing and proposed installations. In addition, RAST is versatile: helping reduce process safety risk when used during Management of Change (MOC) reviews for comparing different inherently safer design options. As is detailed in the paper, RAST follows the basic steps in performing a Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA) study. The tool allows Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) Teams to validate process‐specific scenarios, and provides guidance on potential causes of incident scenarios. The scenario‐specific risks—a function of the consequence and the frequency—can be determined in RAST through a quantified consequence impact through leak rate and dispersion modeling and estimated scenario frequencies through equipment integrity and reliability information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazard identification is an important basis for the design of coal mine safety signs. This paper analyses the coal face hazard checklists in a large state-owned coal mine enterprise in China from January 2015 to December 2015. The conclusion is hazard occurring most frequently on top five are liquid leakage, spray unopened, belt deviation, littering, cylinder distance too close. According to the conclusion, the paper designed five safety signs which are cylinders must have a sufficient distance, be careful not to let the belt running deviation, prohibit littering, precaution the liquid leakage and must open spray using computer graphics software. Using information formula to calculate five disigned safety signs of design, it is found that no ambiguity for the sign of must be sprayed marks. Information of sufficient distance between cylinders sign and caution liquid leakage sign is between 0 and 1, which are acceptable. Information of no littering sign and warning the belt deviation sign is between 1 and 2, which means there are too many ambiguities for the signs and need to be redesigned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses issues of importance for occupational exposure limits (OELs) and chemical carcinogens with a focus on non-threshold carcinogens. It comprises scientific as well as regulatory issues. It is an overview, not a comprehensive review. A central topic is mechanistic research and insights, and its implications for cancer risk assessment. Alongside scientific advancements, the approaches of hazard identification and qualitative and quantitative risk assessment have developed over the years. The key steps in a quantitative risk assessment are outlined, with special attention given to the dose–response assessment and the derivation of an OEL using risk calculations or default assessment factors. The work procedures of several bodies performing cancer hazard identifications and quantitative risk assessments, as well as regulatory procedures to derive OELs for non-threshold carcinogens, are presented. Non-threshold carcinogens for which the European Union (EU) introduced binding OELs in 2017–2019 serve as illustrations together with some currently used strategies in the EU and elsewhere. Available knowledge supports the derivation of health-based OELs (Hb-OELs) for non-threshold carcinogens, and the use of a risk-based approach with low-dose linear extrapolation (linear non-threshold, LNT) as the default for non-threshold carcinogens. However, there is a need to develop methods that allow recent years' advances in cancer research to be used for improving risk estimates. It is recommended that defined risk levels (terminology and numerical values) are harmonised, and that both collective and individual risks are considered and clearly communicated. Socioeconomic aspects should be dealt with transparently and separated from the scientific health risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the advances made in understanding the different facets of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risk assessments for nanomaterials and nanomaterial-enabled products(NEP) in South Africa.Topics include the contribution of South Africa to the global knowledge based on HSE risks of nanomaterials, efforts taken by the governmen to assess the risks of nanomaterials and NEPs and the future direction for effective risk communication and management.

Manual hazard identification by safety managers in construction has practical challenges because each manager identifies environmental hazards from their perception, which can leave many potential hazards unidentified and consequently lead to accidents at the site. Previous studies have revealed that workers experience loss of body balance (LOB) when exposed to slip, trip, and fall (STF) hazards. This study extended previous studies to identify STF hazards by LOB measurement and collective sensing (i.e., data aggregation) techniques and assumed that STF hazards would cause multiple workers' LOBs in a given location. First, this study developed an approach to assess each worker's exposure to STF hazards by LOB analysis. A waist-worn inertial measurement unit sensor was used to extract features of waist movements, which were mapped into a single value to measure LOB scores using the Mahalanobis distance (MD) metric. As an individual worker is exposed to STF hazards, the MD values become larger than without exposure to STF hazards. The developed approach provided an unweighted average recall of 89.13% (without exposures: 90.30%, and with exposures: 87.96%) for detecting individual workers' exposures to STF hazards in an actual construction site. Then, an approach was developed to visualize the location of STF hazards by allocating multiple workers' LOB scores into each individual's Global Positioning System (GPS) data points. The results showed the feasibility of the developed approach to identify STF hazards, potentially helping to prevent STF accidents at construction sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to analyse the existing work of warranty risk management (WaRM); second, to develop a generic WaRM framework; and third, to design a generic taxonomy for warranty hazards from a warranty chain perspective. Design/methodology/approach: To understand the top warranty hazards, the authors designed a questionnaire, received 40 responses from the warranty decision makers (WDM) in the automotive industry in the UK and then analysed the responses. Findings: The assembly process capability at suppliers is the top contributor to warranty incidents from the suppliers' and original equipment manufacturers' (OEMs') viewpoints. The human error at different stages of the product lifecycle contributes to the occurrence of warranty incidents. The collaboration among parties, particularly, the accessibility to warranty-related data between parties (i.e. suppliers, OEM and dealers), is limited. Customers' fraud contributes more to warranty costs than warranty services providers' fraud. The top contributors to customer dissatisfaction relating to warranty are the warranty service time and service quality. Research limitations/implications: The questionnaires were used to collect data in the UK, which implies the research outcomes of this paper may only reflect the UK area. Practical implications: The WaRM framework and taxonomy proposed in this paper provide WDM with a holistic view to identifying the top contributors to warranty incidents. With them, the decision makers will be able to allocate the required fund and efforts more effectively. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by providing the first work of systematically analysing the top contributors to warranty incidents and costs and by providing a WaRM framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In maritime safety research, risk is assessed usually within the framework of formal safety assessment (FSA), which provides a formal and systematic methodology to improve the safety of lives, assets, and the environment. A bespoke application of FSA to mitigate accidents in marine seismic surveying is put forward in this paper, with the aim of improving the safety of seismic vessel operations, within the context of developing an economically viable strategy. The work herein takes a close look at the hazards in North Sea offshore seismic surveying, in order to identify critical risk factors, leading to marine seismic survey accidents. The risk factors leading to undesirable events are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A risk matrix is introduced to screen the identified undesirable events. Further to the screening, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is presented to investigate and analyse the most critical risks of seismic survey operation, taking into account the lack of historical data. The obtained results show that man overboard (MOB) event is a major risk factor in marine seismic survey operation; lack of training on safe work practice, slippery deck as a result of rain, snow or water splash, sea state affecting human judgement, and poor communication are identified as the critical risk contributors to the MOB event. Consequently, the risk control options are focused on the critical risk contributors for decision-making. Lastly, suggestions for the introduction and development of the FSA methodology are highlighted for safer marine and offshore operations in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machinery operations on construction sites result in many serious injuries and fatalities. Practical training in a virtual environment is the key to improving the safety performance of machinery operators on construction sites. However, there is limited research focusing on factors responsible for the efficiency of virtual training in increasing hazard identification ability among novice trainees. This study analyzes the efficiency of virtual safety training with head-mounted VR displays against flat screen displays among novice operators. A cohort of tower crane operation trainees was subjected to multiple simulations in a virtual towards this aim. During the simulations, feedback was collected using a joystick to record the accuracy of hazard identification while a post-simulation questionnaire was used to collect responses regarding factors responsible for effective virtual training. Questionnaire responses were analyzed using interval type-2 fuzzy analytical hierarchical process to interpret the effect of display types on training efficiency while joystick response times were statistically analyzed to understand the effect of display types on the accuracy of identification across different types of safety hazards. It was observed that VR headsets increase the efficiency of virtual safety training by providing greater immersion, realism and depth perception while increasing the accuracy of hazard identification for critical hazards such as electric cables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), introduced in modern toxicology, intend to provide an evidence-based representation of toxicological effects and facilitate safety assessment of chemicals not solely based on laboratory animal in vivo experiments. However, some toxicological processes are too complicated to represent in one AOP. Therefore, AOP networks are developed that help understanding and predicting toxicological processes where complex exposure scenarios interact and lead to the emergence of the adverse outcome. In this study, we present an AOP network for breast cancer, developed after an in-depth survey of relevant scientific literature. Several molecular initiating events (MIE) were identified and various key events that link the MIEs with breast cancer were described. The AOP was developed according to Organization of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) guidance, weight of evidence was assessed through the Bradford Hill criteria and confidence was tested by the OECD key questions. The AOP network provides a straightforward understanding of the disease onset and progression at different biological levels. It can be used to pinpoint knowledge gaps, identify novel therapeutic targets and act as a stepping stone for the development of novel in vitro test methods for hazard identification and risk assessment of newly developed chemicals and drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xishan coal mine area in Beijing, China has a long history of mining. Many landslide hazards, in addition to collapses and ground fractures, have occurred in this area. This study used multi-temporal satellite images to extract this region's deformation information, identify landslides and analyze the deformation evolution process of these landslides. Taking the Anzigou ditch as an example, we investigate the "Quarry–Landslide–Mudslide" disaster chain model. We found that the landslide evolution process is closely related to the geological conditions, and usually goes through four stages: initial deformation, slope front swelling and collapsing, rear part connecting and rupturing, and landslide creeping. The surface deformation can be identified and tracked by high-resolution optical images and InSAR monitoring. Under the combined effects of rainfall and topographic conditions, medium and large landslides may occur and trigger a "Quarry–Landslide–Mudflow" disaster chain. The identification and analysis of these landslide hazards and the disaster chain help with geological disaster prevention, and provide reference for early identification and research of similar disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the dynamic and complex nature of a construction site, the ability to recognize hazards in a surrounding environment is highly associated with worker safety. While many studies have examined the hazard identification skills of workers, researchers have not yet explored how the dynamic nature of hazards impacts workers' hazard anticipation, hazard identification, and cognitive perception of hazards within dynamic construction scenarios. This study investigates (1) whether hazard characteristics (i.e., static versus dynamic) impact workers' hazard identification performance; and (2) how two cognitive steps (i.e., attention and perception) influence hazard identification performance for these dynamic hazards. Employing state-of-the-art 360° video panoramas, this study performed an empirical investigation experiment to assess 30 construction workers' hazard identification skills and corresponding attention and perception behaviors. The results of this study indicate that worker's hazard identification abilities are affected by the static and/or dynamic nature of hazards: Generally, workers better anticipate dynamic hazards thanks to target and context anticipatory cues. In addition, a major discriminator between workers with higher hazard identification skills and those with lower hazard identification skills for dynamic hazards manifested in their continuous awareness of hazardous situations and proper prediction of emerging or potential hazards. Beyond identifying these factors, this study discusses multiple reasons underpinning attentional failures and misperception. The study highlights the importance of applying an integrated personalized training program to address cognitive failures and hazard anticipation skills to improve occupational safety in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Army and U. S. Army Public Health Center are dedicated to protecting the health, and readiness of Department of the Army Service Members, civilians, and contractors. Despite implementation of health programs, policies and tobacco control interventions, the advent of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), represent unregulated and poorly defined systems to supplant or substitute use of conventional nicotine products (e.g., cigarettes and pipe tobacco). E-cigs present unique challenges to healthcare officials vested in preventive medicine. The health impact of an e-cig and vaping on an individual's acute or chronic disease susceptibility, performance and wellness, is fraught with uncertainty. Given the relatively recent emergence of e-cigs, high-quality epidemiological studies, and applied biological research studies are severely lacking. In sparsely available epidemiological studies of short-term cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes, any attempt at addressing the etiology of acute and chronic health conditions from e-cig use faces incredible challenges. Until relatively recently, this was complicated by an absent national regulatory framework and health agency guidance on the manufacture, distribution, selling and use of e-cigs or similar ENDS devices and their chemical constituents. Two key issues underpin public health concern from e-cig use: 1) continued or emergent nicotine addiction and potential use of these devices for vaping controlled substances; and 2) inadvertent sudden-onset or chronic health effects from inhalational exposure to low levels of complex chemical toxicants from e-cig use and vaping the liquid. Herein, the health impacts from e-cig vaping and research supporting such effects are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]