1,721,006 research outputs found
Ergonomic Analysis of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk to Plasterers Working in Ireland
No full textAs a consequence of the organisational nature of the construction industry, and due to the dynamic nature of construction activities, construction workers are exposed to Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) risk factors as an intrinsic part of their daily activities. Plasterers are one of the trades that experience high prevalence rates of the disorders when compared with other trades within the industry. Consequently, the quality of their work is affected. Additionally, due to associated absenteeism and early retirement, and costs associated with treatment, compensation, and insurance costs, the plasterer, their employer, and the economy experience a significant financial burden.
Upon developing a research risk assessment protocol, it was used as a guide to develop an assessment methodology to evaluate if plasterers working in Ireland were at an increased risk of developing WRMSDs because of their tasks and working conditions. Psychophysical, physiological, and biomechanical assessment methods were selected based on their suitability to evaluate WRMSD risk. Visual Analogue Discomfort Scales (VADS) was used to evaluate psychophysical stress; Heart Rate Analysis (HRA) was used to evaluate physiological stress, and Electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate biomechanical stress..
The VADS survey consisted of 100mm linear scales, a body map and questionnaires. It was used as an assessment method on active construction sites to measure subjective qualitative judgments of postural discomfort to determine if plasterers experienced discomfort over the course of a working day and working week. Further analysis of the VADS data was carried out to evaluate if the type of work being carried out, and the type of conditions plasterers worked in, influenced levels of discomfort intensity. Additionally, it was used to provide a snapshot representation of the type of work being carried out, and the type of conditions plasterers work in over a five-day work period. The dependent unit of psychophysical response is intensity of discomfort represented as a measure of millimetres ranging from 0-100mm. Eighteen plasterers participated in the VADS study.
HRA and EMG were used to evaluate plasterers¿ responses when carrying out a plastering activity in four simulated working environments. Each environment was set up to represent combinations of independent variables - standing surfaces (e.g. ground, stilts, trestle, and hop-up), plastering surfaces (e.g. wall and ceiling), plastering tasks (e.g. Mix Plaster, Load Mortarboard, Load Hawk, Load Trowel and Plaster), and mortarboard stand heights (e.g. 775mm and 1270mm).
HRA was used to evaluate and compare each plasterer¿s physiological response when they carried out a wet-plastering task in each of the four assessment workstations. The dependant variables of physiological response were mean heart rate (bpm), Heart Rate Zone (HRZ) activity, Relative Heart Rate (RHR) and Recommended Rest Period (RRP).
EMG analysis was used to evaluate muscle activity levels to evaluate the plasterers¿ biomechanical response of for each for each sub-task for each variable condition. The muscles assessed were the right and left sternocleidomastoid muscles in the neck, right and left trapezius muscles in the shoulder, and the right and left erector spinae muscles in the back. The dependent variable of biomechanical response was mean/maximum muscle activity level represented as a percentage of peak muscle activity.
Statistical analysis was carried out to describe details about aspects of the sample population and compare independent variables with dependent variables. The results indicate that in most cases independent variables significantly influences change in the dependent variables and plastering activities and working conditions increase plasterers¿ risk of developing WRMSDs. For example, in the VADS study (psychophysical analysis) it was found that plasterers experienced an increase in perceived discomfort intensity levels over five consecutive workdays. A decline in intensity levels was observed after a period of rest i.e. lunch break or overnight break.
In the HRA study (physiological analysis), plasterers experienced the highest physiological stress when carrying out a wet-plastering activity on a wall while standing on the ground and a hop-up, and using a low mortarboard stand. When working on ceiling, plasterers experienced their lowest physiological stress when standing on stilts and using a high mortarboard stand.
In the EMG study (biomechanical analysis), activity levels were highest when plasterers worked on a ceiling when compared with working on a wall. The neck muscles had the highest activity level when standing on a trestle, whereas the shoulder and back muscles had the highest activity levels when standing on the ground. The neck, shoulder, and back muscles had the highest activity levels when tasks were carried out when using the low mortarboard stand.
The findings from the data analysis were used to provide recommendations for control interventions to minimise the adverse effects that the plastering task and working conditions has on the musculoskeletal system and decrease the probability of plasterers developing WRMSDs
A synthesis of systems engineering tools to improve patient safety, quality and efficiency in health care
No full textCancer occurrence has given rise to high risks and deaths of patients all over the world. The consistent negative impact of cancer on humans have spurred healthcare providers and administrators to judiciously search for better options to treat and manage cancer patients. One of such treatment modalities that is safe, cheaper and effective is Radiotherapy. However, due to the technological advancement of treatment options which involved multi-systems and different professionals, have inadvertently created new pathways for multiple Radiotherapy incidents to occur during patient treatment. Consequently, patients have been affected in various ways: from minor to severe injuries, and in even deaths were recorded significantly in many cancer centres in the world. Even though numerous improvement measures have been developed over the years to mitigate and minimise the impact of errors and mistakes caused by Radiotherapy treatment systems and humans on patients; still, Radiotherapy incidents at various levels continued to occur prevalently in the globe.
Following from the above, this study is aimed at integrating Systems Engineering tools, such as Lean Management (LM), Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Total Quality Management (TQM) / Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), Benchmarking and Human Factors Engineering (HFE) with a view to developing a simplified framework that can improve the Quality, Safety and Efficiency of healthcare. The lack of standard quality improvement initiatives to address the issues of patient safety, quality of care and process efficiency mostly due to modern technological complexities, which often led to errors and mistakes, is a serious concern to healthcare providers and management. Thus, there is a need for the development of a comprehensive framework for clinical utilisation of difficult technology and process inefficiencies.
The study utilised both quantitative and qualitative methodologies: namely, a Single Case Study, Questionnaire and Benchmarking Case Study, which were adopted to answer the central research question vis-à-vis the study’s objectives. The varied research methodologies employed in this study, supported by the outcomes of the literature review, provided the mechanisms for the development of a framework, called the Radiotherapy Lean (RADLean) Improvement Blitz. This framework is a holistic integration of Systems Engineering tools with the core purpose to streamline Processes, improve Patient Safety, Quality and Efficiency with lower costs. Also, it will act as a catalyst in encouraging and stimulating organisations cultural change from top management down to lower employees. The RADLean Blitz Improvement framework is proactively and reactively designed robustly to respond and address issues that likely to affect Patient Safety, Process Efficiency and Quality of Patient care that might manifest in the systems during the routine patient treatment process.
The framework is developed holistically on the following initiatives; namely, IDEFØ Technique, Lean Management tools, Total Quality Management / Plan-Do-Check-Act tools, Lean Six Sigma methodology and Human Factors Engineering techniques. It composed of four primary high-level phases: (1) Identification of Drivers, Strategic Goals & Operational Objectives, Need for Improvement and Management final Approval; (2) Engagement of Stakeholders, Gap Analysis, Team Formation, Metrics Identification; (3) Management Commitment & Support, SWOT Analysis, Training of Improvement Tools; (4) and Correct Plans if required Improvement Readiness, Experts’ Reviews & Change Control, Systems and Controls. These four phases are further sub-divided into six interactive implementation stages for effectiveness: Assess, Plan, Ratify, Improve, Control and Standardise (APRICS).
The framework was verified and validated through three known stages: the first stage involved validation of the RADLean Toolbox using DELPHI Techniques of experts’ review cycle, underpinned by IDEFØ technique grounded on two Kelly’s quality measurement factors; the second stage entails Kelly and Ijomah combination of quality measurement factors, while the last stage consisted of the interactive session of experts’ panel. The verification and validation were carried out in order to identify the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the framework and to strengthen it for wide-scale usage.
Hypothetically, with the developed framework, patients are expected to receive Radiotherapy services in a reasonable timeframe, which can be achieved through routine safety performance awareness; hence errors and hazards will be easily identified and resolved without difficulties. Thus, improving Quality, Safety, Efficiency and Reliability while minimising costs
A systems engineering approach to equipment qualification in healthcare
No full textEquipment Qualification is a formal quality assurance process in manufacturing which establishes confidence that specified equipment is ‘ready for its intended use’. This thesis, in drawing parallels between requirements of manufacturing equipment and medical equipment, hypothesises that the protocols, practices and tools of Equipment Qualification can be adapted for application in healthcare.
In manufacturing, where the quality of output is of critical concern, the scope of Equipment Qualification is limited to building confidence that the equipment can produce product to specification. In healthcare, where patient safety is the critical concern, the identification and control of potential causes of adverse events is of central importance in establishing confidence that the equipment is ‘ready for its intended use’.
This thesis details the development of an Equipment Qualification framework for healthcare to guide healthcare practitioners in best practice tools, techniques and considerations for the identification and control of potential causes of adverse events. The Equipment Qualification framework presented in this thesis synthesises existing knowledge in the domains of risk management, quality, safety, reliability, maintenance, calibration, human factors engineering and lean methods with empirical findings of benchmarking case studies in manufacturing companies and requirements analysis case studies and questionnaire in healthcare.
A systems engineering approach is adopted to manage the complexity of the Equipment Qualification process. The framework, consisting of a model written in the systems engineering modelling language IDEFØ and supporting qualification template protocols, was verified and validated via a novel expert review process.2019-02-0
Towards a Risk Management Framework for Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety Management Systems in Regulated Environments
No full textWhilst large-scale manufacturing in Ireland has seen a general decline in recent years, exceptions to this rule have been the medical device and pharmaceutical sectors which have seen continual growth. These sectors differ from traditional manufacturing in that many of the products they produce are viewed not just as industrial goods, but also a tool of public health. Because of this, the Industries are highly regulated. In order for a company to receive product approval, it must undergo stringent auditing of its quality management system.
In addition to their quality systems, companies are under increasing pressure to control, improve and maintain their environmental systems and their health & safety systems. Traditionally, manufacturing companies have been structured as a hierarchy of functional units. The difficulty with this type of structure is that problems that occur at the interfaces, or at function boundaries, are often given less priority than the short-term goals of the functional unit. Integrating quality, environmental, and health & safety management systems may provide a solution. However, because medical devices and pharmaceutical companies manufacture under strong regulatory oversight of their Quality Management System, this oversight has led many companies to reject integration in the belief that integrating their environmental and health & safety systems with their quality system will jeopardise approval by regulatory authorities. The difficulty is, that if these systems operate independently of each other, then the barriers between them will not be crossed. Corrective actions will be focused on the system concerned, and therefore will result in little benefit to the organisation as a whole. Moreover, as part of its risk control measures in one system, the organisation many actually create risk in another.
This thesis details the development of a risk-based framework by which companies operating in such highly regulated environments can resolve this problem. Based on the evidence from a detailed literature review and the data gathered by means of survey and case studies, the corrective and preventive action (CAPA) component of the management system was found to be the most significant common element throughout the regulations and standards governing these companies. The proposed framework supports an integrated approach to the management of environmental, quality and health & safety systems, which is developed around this CAPA process. IDEFØ, (Integration Definition Function Modeling) is the functional modelling methodology used to describe the analysis and development of the framework. The framework was then validated via expert reviewers, representing some of the main end-users of the framework
Google maps API with an example of use
No full textSarasol Palomares, Á. (2014). Google maps API with an example of use. https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/47173.Archivo delegad
Virtual environments in machinery safety analysis - studies on participatory ergonomics
No full textThe objective of this work was to evaluate the impacts of VEs on safety analysis and participatory ergonomics. A method (SAVE) of applying VEs for safety analysis was developed and tested in the work settings. The method involves a procedure, based on Participatory Ergonomics (PA), Task Analysis (TA), Work Safety Analysis (WSA), standard EN 1050 and three-dimensional (3-D) functional modelling of the objects being analysed. The materials of this work comprised machinery systems of five plants in a steel factory, implementing ongoing modernisation projects
New Possibilities for development of the internal health and safety organisation
No full textResearch from several countries indicates that the internal health and safety organisation in most companies is placed in an appendix position. A possibility for developing a stronger and more effective health and safety organisation is to introduce learning. This approach has been applied in a Danish network project with eleven companies. The results indicate that health and safety managers and safety representatives have difficulties in fulfilling the role as change agents in mastering such a development project. Only three of the eleven companies turned out to be able to implement successful changes. The more successful outcomes seem to result from abilities among the change agents to handle a complex and incalculable project. On the basis of the case studies, it has been possible to deduce some of the competencies needed to fulfil this role. It is for example necessary to be able to identify opportunities for change, es-tablish a sustainable problem definition, and build coalitions. An amoeba model for this type of development project is suggested
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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