Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: de Melo Neto, Rútilo P. | Kohlman Rabbani, Emilia R. | Barkokébas Junior, Béda | Lago, Eliane M.G. | de A. Freitas, Jonathas B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In Olinda there are an estimated 50 marble quarries, 3 of which are members of the stone extraction and finishing industry’s state union. The objective here is to quantitatively evaluate the noise present at the workplace in two of Olinda’s unionized marble quarries. The data to be analyzed was collected during December 2010, this month representing one of the four busiest months of production. The samples were collected from Tuesdays to Fridays in order to avoid irregular outcomes. Instantaneous readings were taken with the decibel meter to identify points of Noise Pressure Level (NPL) higher than Action Level (AL). Afterwards, …the full procedure for the characterization of noise level with the decibel meter in order to compare the Homogeneous Exposure Group (HEG) to those with High Risk Exposure (HRE) was initiated. The noisiest sources came from humid cutting machines, marble saws and polishing equipment. The activities of cutter and polisher became classified as follows: unsafe, in a critical situation and in need of priority control for the work environment with noise level values varying from 95.0 dB(A) to 103.3 dB(A), calling for the use of ear protection during the entire work day. Show more

Keywords: Exposure to occupacional noise, Occupacional health, Marble works

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0972-5850

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5850-5852, 2012

Authors: de Melo Neto, Rútilo P. | Kohlman Rabbani, Emilia R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The finishing of marble occurs in quarries all over Brazil, being the most significant dimension of the ornamental stone sector, with 7,000 businesses. Recife’s Metropolitan Area (RMR) contains approximately 106 marble quarries, 25 of them unionized. The study focused on the application of Preliminary Risk Analysis, conducted at two unionized quarries: M1, a small business; and the second, M2, considered a micro enterprise. In this analysis both the administrative and the productive sectors were evaluated. The fieldwork was done in the month of December 2010. The study revealed that the two quarries carried moderate risks in the administrative sector, mainly …due to ergonomic factors, and that in the productive sectors the risks were high, specifically because of excess noise, dust material, and precarious electrical installations. Using the results of the qualitative analysis as a base, the need for quantitative study presents itself in order to determine the most adequate modes of protection to be of assistance in the management of these risks, guaranteeing the safety and health of the worker and consequently the improvement in productivity in this sector. Show more

Keywords: Risk evaluation, Preliminary analysis of risks, Marble works

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0973-5853

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5853-5855, 2012

Authors: Gonçalves, Mônica V. | Bernardes, Rosane F. | Chiavegato, Luciana D. | Padula, Rosimeire S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article intends to evaluate the lung function and capacity to exercise and correlate both of them in metal industry workers.

Keywords: Occupacional health, Health condictions, Pulmonary function, Exercise capacity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0974-5856

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5856-5857, 2012

Authors: do Nascimento, Lícia Maria Barreto | Bortolotto, Gracielle Aparecida Orlando

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article presents the steps of transforming the material and organizational aspects in the work environment, beyond the social order for the proper development of activities in the Household Distribution Center, the Postmen Motorcyclists. The demand was made by managers from the accident records, establishing the need to identify the working conditions of postmen motorcyclists, regarding motorcycle accidents occurring on public roads. Method: Based on the characteristics of the steps required by the methodology, was necessary to realize internal and external observations, with the aim of identifying the dynamics of the accident and the collective dimensions of activity which requires …a strategy for monitoring the work on the street. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, safety, street work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0975-5858

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5858-5859, 2012

Authors: Liu, Long | Shuai, Ma | Wang, Zhu | Li, Ping

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In order to effectively analyze and control use-related risk of medical devices, quantitative methodologies must be applied. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a proactive technique for error detection and risk reduction. In this article, an improved FMEA based on Fuzzy Mathematics and Grey Relational Theory is developed to better carry out userelated risk analysis for medical devices. As an example, the analysis process using this improved FMEA method for a certain medical device (C-arm X-ray machine) is described.

Keywords: Use-related risk, medical device, FMEA

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0976-5860

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5860-5865, 2012

Authors: Castañon, Ugo | Castañon, José A. B. | Santos, Marcio P. S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The problems related to the means of transport in urban Brazilians have been getting worse over the years. The increase of the fleet, to the detriment of the adequacy and extent of the road network of cities contributes to this fact. This paper presents a profile of users of cycling in the city of Juiz de Fora, and thus contributes to the study of sustainable urban mobility, providing researchers with information that can guide the search for the encouragement of the use of means of transport to meet environmental needs urban centers that contributes to social equity.

Keywords: bicycles, profile of cyclists, sustainable mobility

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0977-5866

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5866-5870, 2012

Authors: Van Elslande, Pierre | Fournier, Jean-Yves | Jaffard, Magali

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Traffic safety related to motorcycle riding constitutes a growing issue all over the world. This is notably the case in France, where the important progress recently obtained toward a safer driving by car didn’t prove to be so much effective for motorcycling. The present study has the purpose to give some cues on the reasons why, by characterizing the specificities of accident scenarios involving a powered two-wheeler (PTW). It is based on an in-depth accident analysis conducted by research teams composed of a psychologist and a technician intervening on the scene of the accident and later on. A sample of …384 accident cases involving a PTW is compared to a sample of 1174 car drivers involved in an accident without PTW. The results show the important differences regarding the human errors committed by PTW riders and by car drivers. They also show the interactional aspects of these different errors in the production of accidents, in the sense the physical and behavioral characteristics of PTW lead to certain errors by car drivers (perceptive failures) and these errors lead in turn to certain errors by PTW riders (prognostic failures). Show more

Keywords: Motorcycles, Car drivers, Crashes, Human error, Interactions

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0978-5871

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5871-5873, 2012

Authors: Carvalho, Ana Carla | Paschoalin, Rachel Filgueiras | Castañon, José Alberto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The historic cities of Brazil, despite its colonial structure, don’t fail to go through transformations that affect contemporary cities, which is the main source of problems, leading to new approaches to urban issues such as mobility and accessibility. The uncontrolled growth of tourism in the historic cities can be considered as a big problem, because at the same time, they have committed to the conservation of its built heritage and demand control of the activities that occur in their areas without harm. Then, a permanent dialogue between conservatives and planners could be accomplished by joining the various sectoral policies. The …study of urban mobility in historical sites was in fact the focus of this work because of their peculiarities, such as its specific characteristics of urban structure, morphology and occupation. In fact, the development of tourism in historic centers generates specific demands, such as adaptation to new uses of the houses, intensive movement of people and vehicles, illegal parking, among others. Beyond threatening the city preservation, does not provide mobility and accessibility to tourists, because these cities were not designed for the tourism conditions and needs of contemporary life. Characteristic features of Brazilian baroque cities, such as topography , the narrow streets, narrow or nonexistent sidewalks, steep turns and ramps strong, are not suitable for heavy vehicles, traffic and pedestrian circulation. Thus, studies concerning conservation urban integrated are aimed at an approach to interaction between historic preservation of the environment with the dynamic socio-economic of the local. Show more

Keywords: Historic Cities, Tourism, Ergonomics, Mobility and Accessibility

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0979-5874

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5874-5876, 2012

Authors: Saqer, Haneen | de Visser, Ewart | Strohl, Jonathan | Parasuraman, Raja

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The proliferation of portable communication and entertainment devices has introduced new dangers to the driving environment, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers. Graduate students from George Mason University illustrate a powerful, practical, and cost-effective program that has been successful in educating these drivers on the dangers of texting while driving, which can easily be adapted and implemented in other communities.

Keywords: Distracted driving, education, human factors, outreach, texting

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0980-5877

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5877-5879, 2012

Authors: Rupp, M. | McConnell, D.S. | Smither, J.A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Distracted driving has been shown to be a safety issue in numerous studies. To combat this problem, in-vehicle technology, legislation, media interventions, and other methods have been proposed and attempted. However research indicates that the drivers themselves may circumvent, ignore, or not be able to react in time for these interventions to be effective. Therefore research into training programs for drivers may improve reaction time under distraction. Research indicates that action game players have faster reaction times and more attentional resources than non-players on paper-based tests. However, transferability to driving has not been studied yet. This paper outlines a study …to determine if action game players perform better at a driving task based on frequency of game-play. Participants will be placed into two groups of play (high vs. low) and tested against two levels of distraction (none vs. phone conversation). It is expected that participants who play higher frequency of action games will perform better under distraction than lower frequency players. Driver performance, conversation recall, frequency and durations of eye fixations will be analyzed based on previous research which has validated those variables as a measure of distraction and higher workload. Show more

Keywords: Driver-Distraction, Divided-Attention, Transportation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0981-5880

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 5880-5881, 2012