Influence of the milling tool setup on occupational safety in furniture making.

One of the most serious causes of accidents in furniture making is kickback of machined material. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the milling tool setup on hazards associated with kickback in furniture making. The speed of kickback was accepted as the measure of these hazards.

Development and validation of the Polish version of Colquitt’s Organizational Justice Measure.

Objectives: Organizational justice is an important predictor of employees’ well-being and job performance. Colquitt’s Organizational Justice Measure (OJM) was designed to assess four aspects of justice – distributive, procedural, interpersonal and informational. The lack of a Polish version of the tool, however, has precluded its application in Poland.

Age-related changes in the range and velocity of postural sway.

The aim of this analysis was to compare values of centre of pressure (CoP) measures, which describe the ability to maintain static body balance (range of body sway and velocity in antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions), in two age groups on the basis of a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data published worldwide. After a systematic review of publications presenting values of selected CoP measures, a numerical database with means and standard deviations was created. Data were classified by eye condition (open or closed) and by age group (18-35 or ≥56).

When do the 'dark personalities' become less counterproductive? The moderating role of job control and social support.

Introduction: The objective of the study is to examine how job resources modify the relationship between the Dark Triad (DT) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Specifically the study examined: (a) the direct link between DT and CWB; (b) the moderation effects of two kinds of job resources (job control and social support); (c) the moderated moderation effect of the job resources (job control × social support) on the DT-CWB link. Moreover, the effect of social approval on CWB was controlled.

Vitamin D status and its relation to exercise performance and iron status in young ice hockey players.

Objectives: The aim was to examine the association between serum vitamin D concentration and isometric strength of various muscle groups, vertical jump performance, and repeated sprint ability in young ice hockey players. The secondary aim was to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and indices of iron status.

Methods: Fifty male ice hockey players (17.

Application of mindfulness-based stress reduction to a stress management intervention in a study of a mining sector company.

Purpose: The aim of this article was to check whether mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an effective intervention in reducing work-related stress in the case of workers in a copper mine.

Methods: Sixty six employees were randomized to the experimental group (32 participants) or to the control group (34 participants). Work-related stress was measured using the job content questionnaire (JCQ) and mental health was measured using the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) Experimental manipulation was 40-h MBSR training.

Evaluation of a new ballistic vest design for compliance with Standard No. PN-V-87000:2011 using physiological tests.

Research into newly developed ballistic vests to be worn by police officers under clothing was carried out with air temperature conditions of +20 °C. A ballistic vest should incorporate protective features, comfort and ergonomics. The thermal strain on users who wore the vests was evaluated as an average and individually, after they had been conditioned in high (+50 °C), low (-40 °C) or neutral (+20 °C) air temperatures, while performing various occupational activities.

Evaluation of the inter-person variability of hazards to the users of BAHA hearing implants caused by exposure to a low frequency magnetic field.

Purpose: In this work, the inter-person variability of hazards caused by a low frequency magnetic field exposure (of various polarization and homogeneity near to the magneto therapy applicator) to users of bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) hearing implants were investigated with respect to various head structures.

Material And Methods: The effects of exposure were evaluated by numerical simulations of the electric field (E) induced in head phantoms (regular or with implant model). Phantoms mimic head dimensions and thicknesses of layers of skin, fat, skull bones, and brain.

In silico modelling of influence from low or intermediate frequency magnetic fields on users of wearable insulin pumps.

Purpose: The aim was to model the effects of exposure to a low or intermediate frequency electromagnetic field (LIF-EMF), characterized by the electric field induced in the body, in order to evaluate how the type of insulin needle and the way it is injected influences the exposed user of a wearable insulin pump.

Material And Methods: Numerical models of exposure scenarios (sources of LIF-EMF, with a dominant magnetic component: 50Hz-1MHz; the insulin needle type; the way it is injected and insulin pump user) were worked out. The influence of the insulin needle on the user's safety (the ratio of the induced electric field in tissues surrounding the needle and tissues of a person without an injection, both exposed identically) were calculated.

Influence of type of MVC test on electromyography measures of biceps brachii and triceps brachii.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the amplitude and frequency measures of the electromyography (EMG) signal in agonistic and antagonistic muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii).

Methods: Fifteen males (22.9 ± 2.

Assessment of the effectiveness of modular clothing protecting against the cold based on physiological tests.

At many workstations in a cold environment, protective clothing provided for the workers is characterized by inadequate thermal insulation, which results in an adverse impact of the cold environment on the worker's body. The purpose of this article is to present developed new ergonomic modular cold protective clothing, which allows for easy adaptation of the thermal insulation of clothing to a worker's individual needs. This clothing was compared in a laboratory study with the clothing having so far been used by workers in a cold environment using physiological and physical measurements, subjective ratings of the thermal state as well as a questionnaire for subjective assessment of the used clothing.

An application of the Pareto method in surveys to diagnose managers' and workers' perception of occupational safety and health on selected Polish construction sites.

The construction industry is an important sector of the economy in Poland. According to the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) data of 2014, the number of victims of fatal accidents in the construction sector amounted to 80 as compared with 187 injured in all other sectors of economy in Poland. This article presents the results of surveys on the impact of construction worker behaviour on the occupational safety and health outcomes.

Effects of falling weight impact on industrial safety helmets used in conjunction with eye and face protection devices.

Industrial workplaces pose concurrent hazards to the upper part of the head and the eyes. Under the circumstances, workers may use protective helmets in conjunction with protective goggles or spectacles. In order to assess the compatibility of this equipment, a method and a test stand for evaluating the behavior of safety helmets and protective goggles/spectacles upon the impact of a falling weight were designed.

Mine rescuers' heat load during the expenditure of physical effort in a hot environment, using ventilated underwear and selected breathing apparatus.

Mine rescuers' heat load under the same physical effort load (25% of the maximal oxygen uptake), using three types of breathing apparatus, in newly developed heat-removing underwear and outerwear was assessed for typical work conditions of mine rescuers, under milder and harsher ambient conditions of 32 and 38 °C, respectively, both at relative humidity of 85% and air velocity of 1.0 m/s. Expending physical effort at the same load while using different kinds of breathing apparatus resulted in a similar heat load.

A practical guidance for assessments of sedentary behavior at work: A PEROSH initiative.

Sedentary behavior is defined as sitting or lying with low energy expenditure. Humans in industrialized societies spend an increasing amount of time in sedentary behaviors every day. This has been associated with detrimental health outcomes.

Rheological and sensory properties of hydrophilic skin protection gels based on polyacrylates.

Introduction: With the current increases in occupational skin diseases, literature data attesting the decreasing efficiency of barrier creams with respect to the manufacturer's declarations and legal regulations granting skin protection gels for employees, research is required to analyse and evaluate the recipes used for hydrophilic skin protection gels based on polyacrylates.

Methods: This study investigated the rheological properties, pH and sensory perception of hydrophilic barrier gels based on polyacrylates.

Results: The acrylic acid derivatives used were good thickeners, and helped to form transparent gels of adequate durability.

How posture influences venous blood flow in the lower limbs: results of a study using photoplethysmography.

Prolonged standing or sitting is one of the factors for chronic venous insufficiency. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of static load of the lower limbs on the functioning of the venous system. The study included 10 healthy young participants, with no peripheral venous disease.

Affluence, occupational safety and ergonomics: are they interdependent?

The number of fatal occupational injuries (FOI), the number of scientific publications in ergonomics (SP) and the gross domestic product (GDP) of 30 countries were investigated for their mutual dependence. This article shows that, although the ratio of FOI/SP decreases exponentially with a linear increase in the GDP, GDP may be only one of the major influencing factors.

Changes in the peripheral blood flow in legs in response to the cold: own studies using plethysmography.

The thermal environment in the workplace is an important factor which affects workers' health. During 2011 in Poland, 14,781 workers were exposed to a cold working environment, i.e.

Influence of disability type on upper-limb motor skills.

This study was carried out in order to determine the effect of physical disability (paraplegia) and sensory disability (deafness) on motor skills of the upper limbs. Studies were distinguished by two parameters: the nature of the control curve (sine or random) and the magnitude of the isometric force exerted on the lever (10 N, 20 N, 40 N, 80 N). A comparison of the quality of manual force control in a visual detection task among groups of people with sensory disability (deaf), people with physical disability (paraplegic) and people without disability showed differences among those groups.

Changes in the central and peripheral circulatory system in response to the cold: own studies using impedance plethysmography and Doppler ultrasound.

The aim of the study was to determine the cardiovascular response to continuous (4 °C for 60 min) and intermittent (10 min at 4 °C and 10 min at room temperature alternately) exposure to the cold in 30 healthy young men. The subjects were equipped with a set of identical clothing (insulation 2.1 clo) and during the stay in the chamber and outside performed the same activities, i.

Mechanical properties of protective spectacles fitted with corrective lenses.

The majority of commercially available corrective spectacles used by workers do not provide effective eye protection against mechanical hazards in the workplace. One of the risks commonly occurring during work is hitting the head on some protruding elements, such as components of machines, buildings or tree branches in a forest. Because of the considerable weight of the human head and the speed of movement during impact, this type of accident may be very serious.

Analysis of the selected mechanical parameters of coating of filters protecting against hazardous infrared radiation.

This article presents a comparison of the test results of selected mechanical parameters (hardness, Young's modulus, critical force for delamination) for protective filters intended for eye protection against harmful infrared radiation. Filters with reflective metallic films were studied, as well as interference filters developed at the Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB). The test results of the selected mechanical parameters were compared with the test results, conducted in accordance with a standardised method, of simulating filter surface destruction that occurs during use.

Towards a conceptual framework of OSH risk management in smart working environments based on smart PPE, ambient intelligence and the Internet of Things technologies.

Recent developments in domains of ambient intelligence (AmI), Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems (CPS), ubiquitous/pervasive computing, etc., have led to numerous attempts to apply ICT solutions in the occupational safety and health (OSH) area. A literature review reveals a wide range of examples of smart materials, smart personal protective equipment and other AmI applications that have been developed to improve workers' safety and health.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for managers: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), which was initially used in clinical settings, has also proved to be an effective tool for managing work-related stress in occupational groups inherently exposed to certain psychosocial risks.

Aims: To examine the potential for work-related stress management using MBSR for middle-level managers who are considered to be particularly affected by the negative effects of stress related to organizational restructuring.

Methods: Middle-level managers participated in a randomized controlled study which implemented a 2 (experimental versus control group) × 2 (baseline, post-treatment) study design, yielding a between-group comparison.