| 1. |
- Langer, Sarka, 1960, et al.
(author)
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Impacts of fuel quality on indoor environment onboard a ship: From policy to practice
- 2020
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In: Transportation Research Part D-Transport and Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1361-9209 .- 1879-2340. ; 83
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Environmental considerations, concerning the negative impacts of ship exhaust gases and particles on ambient air quality, are behind the requirements of cleaner marine fuels currently applied in designated emission control areas (ECAs). We investigated the impact of a ship operating on two types of fuel on the indoor air quality onboard. Gaseous and particulate air pollutants were measured in the engine room and the accommodation sections on-board an icebreaker operating first on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO, 1%-S), and later Marine Diesel Oil (MDO, 0.1%-S). Statistically significant decrease of SO2, NOx, PM2.5 and particle number concentration were observed when the ship was operating on MDO. Due to the higher content of alkylated PAHs in MDO compared to HFO, the concentration of PAHs increased during operation on MDO. The particulate PAHs classified as carcinogens, were similar to or lower in the MDO campaign. Chemical analysis of PM2.5 revealed that the particles consisted mainly of organic carbon and sulfate, although the fraction of metals was quite large in particles from the engine room. Principal Component Analysis of all measured parameters showed a clear difference between HFO and MDO fuel on the indoor environmental quality on-board the ship. This empirical study poses a first example on how environmental policy-making impacts not only the primary target at a global level, but also brings unexpected localized benefits at workplace level. The study emphasizes the need of further investigations on the impact of new marine fuels and technologies on the indoor air environments on board.
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| 2. |
- Sandberg, David, 1980, et al.
(author)
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The impact of sleepiness on lane positioning in truck driving
- 2013. - 1
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In: Driver Distraction and Inattention. - Farnham : Ashgate. - 9781409425854 - 9781315578156 ; , s. 405-416, s. 405-416
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This chapter concerns the detection of sleepiness in truck drivers. Data obtained from a driver sleepiness study involving real-world driving are used in order to analyse the performance of several sleepiness indicators based on driving behavior; such as, for example, variability in lateral position and heading angle. Contrary to the results obtained for passenger cars, for heavy trucks it is found that indicators based on variability provide little or no information; their performance does not rise significantly above chance levels.However, the data indicate that there is a significant difference in the average lane position for sleepy and alert drivers, respectively, such that a sleepy driver generally places the vehicle closer (by about 0.2 m) to the centre of the road than an alert driver. The analysis also shows a significant, monotonous, increase in average lateral position (measured from the right, outer, lane boundary towards the lane centre) between the four cases of (i) daytime alert driving, (ii) daytime sleepy driving, (iii) night-time alert driving and (iv) nighttime sleepy driving.
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| 3. |
- Rhen, Ida-Märta, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Inter- and intra-rater reliability of the OCRA checklist method in video-recorded manual work tasks
- 2020
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In: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Observation-based risk assessments are often used for evaluation of biomechanical workload and the condition of the workplace ergonomics. However, the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the methods used for the assessments are insufficiently studied. The OCRA checklist method, included as a reference method in the ISO and CEN standards regarding upper limb repetitive risk assessment, was in this study investigated regarding its reliability. Eleven ergonomists were educated within the method. Each ergonomist risk-assessed ten video-recorded manual work tasks, on two occasions. The average inter-rater agreement of the five overall risk levels was 39% and the linearly weighted kappa was 0.43, the intra-rater dittos were 45% and 0.52. Both indicating a moderate reliability, but lower than what could be expected. The levels might be sufficient for coarse surveys. However, for risk assessments before and after an intervention, complementing technical methods should be considered.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Lo Martire, Riccardo, et al.
(author)
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Construction of a web-based questionnaire for longitudinal investigation of work exposure, musculoskeletal pain and performance impairments in high-performance marine craft populations
- 2017
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 7:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: High-performance marine craft personnel (HPMCP) are regularly exposed to vibration and repeated shock (VRS) levels exceeding maximum limitations stated by international legislation. Whereas such exposure reportedly is detrimental to health and performance, the epidemiological data necessary to link these adverse effects causally to VRS are not available in the scientific literature, and no suitable tools for acquiring such data exist. This study therefore constructed a questionnaire for longitudinal investigations in HPMCP.METHODS: A consensus panel defined content domains, identified relevant items and outlined a questionnaire. The relevance and simplicity of the questionnaire's content were then systematically assessed by expert raters in three consecutive stages, each followed by revisions. An item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was computed as the proportion of experts rating an item as relevant and simple, and a scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) as the average I-CVI across items. The thresholds for acceptable content validity were 0.78 and 0.90, respectively. Finally, a dynamic web version of the questionnaire was constructed and pilot tested over a 1-month period during a marine exercise in a study population sample of eight subjects, while accelerometers simultaneously quantified VRS exposure.RESULTS: Content domains were defined as work exposure, musculoskeletal pain and human performance, and items were selected to reflect these constructs. Ratings from nine experts yielded S-CVI/Ave of 0.97 and 1.00 for relevance and simplicity, respectively, and the pilot test suggested that responses were sensitive to change in acceleration and that the questionnaire, following some adjustments, was feasible for its intended purpose.CONCLUSIONS: A dynamic web-based questionnaire for longitudinal survey of key variables in HPMCP was constructed. Expert ratings supported that the questionnaire content is relevant, simple and sufficiently comprehensive, and the pilot test suggested that the questionnaire is feasible for longitudinal measurements in the study population.
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| 6. |
- Lind, Carl, et al.
(author)
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Reducing postural load in order picking through a smart workwear system using real-time vibrotactile feedback
- 2020
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In: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 89
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vibrotactile feedback training may be one possible method for interventions that target at learning better work techniques and improving postures in manual handling. This study aimed to evaluate the short term effect of real-time vibrotactile feedback on postural exposure using a smart workwear system for work postures intervention in simulated industrial order picking. Fifteen workers at an industrial manufacturing plant performed order-picking tasks, in which the vibrotactile feedback was used for postural training at work. The system recorded the trunk and upper arm postures. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were conducted about the users’ experience of the system. The results showed reduced time in trunk inclination ≥20°, ≥30° and ≥45° and dominant upper arm elevation ≥30° and ≥45° when the workers received feedback, and for trunk inclination ≥20°, ≥30° and ≥45° and dominant upper arm elevation ≥30°, after feedback withdrawal. The workers perceived the system as useable, comfortable, and supportive for learning. The system has the potential of contributing to improved postures in order picking through an automated short-term training program. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
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| 7. |
- Antona-Makoshi, Jacobo, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of Traumatic Brain Injuries Sustained by Occupants in Japanese Brand Car Crashes in the US
- 2018
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In: International Journal of Automotive Engineering. - : Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan. - 2185-0992 .- 2185-0984. ; 9:3, s. 145-450
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study estimates, by means of an analysis of accident data from the US, the incidence and risk of car crash related traumatic brain injuries for occupants in Japanese brand cars. The study incorporated crash type, crash severity, car model year, belt use and the victim's age and sex. Concussion risk was the highest among all brain injury categories for all crash types and severities; females were at higher risks than males. When concussions were excluded, Subdural Haemorrhages, Intracranial Haemorrhages and Sub-Arachnoid Haemorrhages comprised the most frequent injury categories. Elderly occupants were at considerably higher risks than non-elderly for these bleeding injuries.
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| 8. |
- Neumann, W. Patrick, et al.
(author)
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Innovation and employee injury risk in automotive disassembly operations
- 2018
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In: International Journal of Production Research. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0020-7543 .- 1366-588X. ; 56:9, s. 3188-3203
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Engineering innovations in car disassembly systems are studied for affects on system operators’ risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI). Objective instrumented measures of injury risk factors with synchronized video-based task analyses were used to examine changes in operators’ RSI risk during two cases of engineering innovation: 1) a shift in industrial model from traditional extracting saleable parts to line-based full material recovery, and 2) the prospective effects of a simulated “Lean” inspired process improvement in the line system.Both cases of innovation showed significantly increased movement speeds and reduced muscular recovery opportunities, implying increased RSI risk. This case study reveals a mechanism by which innovation may increase RSI risks for operators. Managers responsible for engineering innovation should ensure their teams have the tools and mandate necessary to control injury hazards as part of the development and design process. These cases suggest how failure to manage RSI hazards in the innovation process may allow increases of injury risks that can compromise operational performance. This “innovation pitfall” has implications for operator health and organizational sustainability. Alternative pathways are discussed.
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| 9. |
- Bianchi Piccinini, Giulio, 1982, et al.
(author)
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How Do Drivers Respond to Silent Automation Failures? Driving Simulator Study and Comparison of Computational Driver Braking Models
- 2020
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In: Human Factors. - Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.; Volvo Group Trucks Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.; Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, USA.; University of Leeds, UK.; VTI, Gothenburg, Sweden. : SAGE Publications. - 1547-8181 .- 0018-7208. ; 62:7, s. 1212-1229
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: This paper aims to describe and test novel computational driver models, predicting drivers’ brake reaction times (BRTs) to different levels of lead vehicle braking, during driving with cruise control (CC) and during silent failures of adaptive cruise control (ACC). Background: Validated computational models predicting BRTs to silent failures of automation are lacking but are important for assessing the safety benefits of automated driving. Method: Two alternative models of driver response to silent ACC failures are proposed: a looming prediction model, assuming that drivers embody a generative model of ACC, and a lower gain model, assuming that drivers’ arousal decreases due to monitoring of the automated system. Predictions of BRTs issued by the models were tested using a driving simulator study. Results: The driving simulator study confirmed the predictions of the models: (a) BRTs were significantly shorter with an increase in kinematic criticality, both during driving with CC and during driving with ACC; (b) BRTs were significantly delayed when driving with ACC compared with driving with CC. However, the predicted BRTs were longer than the ones observed, entailing a fitting of the models to the data from the study. Conclusion: Both the looming prediction model and the lower gain model predict well the BRTs for the ACC driving condition. However, the looming prediction model has the advantage of being able to predict average BRTs using the exact same parameters as the model fitted to the CC driving data. Application: Knowledge resulting from this research can be helpful for assessing the safety benefits of automated driving.
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| 10. |
- Nourozi, Behrouz, 1986-, et al.
(author)
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A systematic review of ventilation solutions for hospital wards : Addressing cross-infection and patient safety
- 2024
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In: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 0360-1323 .- 1873-684X. ; 247
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite various preventive interventions, nosocomial cross-infection remains a significant challenge in healthcare facilities worldwide. Consequently, prolonged hospitalization, elevated healthcare costs, and mortality rates are major concerns. Proper ventilation has been identified as one of the possible interventions for reducing the risk of cross-infection between patients and healthcare workers in hospital wards by diluting infectious agents and their carrying particles. The use of air cleaners in conjunction with the ventilation system further reduces the concentration of indoor pathogens. This article presents a systematic review of the ventilation solutions employed in hospital wards where pathogen removal performance can be enhanced using air-cleaning techniques while maintaining the thermal comfort of patients and healthcare staff. We provide a comparative analysis of the performance of different ventilation strategies adopted in one-, two-, or multi-bed hospital wards. Additionally, we discuss the parameters that influence the aerosol removal efficiency of ventilation systems and review various air-cleaning technologies that can further complement the ventilation system to reduce contaminant concentrations. Finally, we review and discuss the impact of different ventilation strategies on the perceived thermal comfort of patients and healthcare workers. This study provides insights into the cross-contamination risks associated with various hospital ward setups and the vital role of the ventilation system in reducing the adverse effects of infection risk. The findings of this review will contribute to the development of effective ventilation solutions that ensure improved patient outcomes and the well-being of healthcare workers.
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