scholarly journals Assessing and predicting individual occupational risk and determining its exact categories using probabilistic methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
V.A. Fokin ◽  
◽  
N.V. Zaitseva ◽  
P.Z. Shur ◽  
S.V. Redko ◽  
...  

Existing approaches to occupational risk assessment more often involve evaluating its group levels and individual risks are assessed less frequently. These approaches provide deterministic risk assessment which doesn’t take into account uncertainty in risk categorizing when its values are close to boundaries between adjoining risks categories. It substantiates the necessity to assess occupational risk levels using probabilistic methods. Our research object was occupational risk and the basic subject was distribution of individual occupational risk levels among workers. Our test group was made up of oil and gas extraction operators exposed to noise equal to 80–85 dBA at their workplaces (173 people). Our control group included oil and gas extraction operators and engineering and technical personnel occupationally exposed to noise equal to 60–77.8 dBA (259 people). We performed a priori assessment of occupational health risks; accomplished epidemiologic analysis of a cause-effect relation between health disorders and work; calculated group occupational health risks; calculated and predicted individual occupational risk using mathematical modeling of dependence between probable negative responses and working conditions, age, and period of employment; determined risk categories more precisely using fuzzy sets by calculating the membership function. As a result, we established that proven individual risk levels were distributed unevenly (1.06•10-4–1.47•10-2) as per categories within a group characterized with a suspected average risk level. A category of proven individual risk levels was determined more precisely using fuzzy sets; after that distribution of probability of their membership was evaluated to detect that at the moment of the research a share of workers with their proven individual occupational risks falling into lower risk categories (p > 0.5) amounted to 89.6 %. We attempted to predict risks for the whole employment period given that working conditions remained the same and no prevention activities were provided. Our prediction revealed that individual occupational risks would remain unacceptable for all workers in the test group and would amount to 2.53•10-2–3.51•10-2; a risk category was also expected to become higher. In-dividual occupational risk would be categorized as average for most workers and as high for 23 % of them (p < 0.5).

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 866-870
Author(s):  
Pavel Z. Shur ◽  
Nina V. Zaitseva ◽  
Vladimir A. Fokin ◽  
Svetlana V. Red’Ko

Introduction. The contemporary industry has a peculiarity related to impacts exerted by physical factors (a leading one is exposure to noise being higher than safe levels fixed in hygienic standards). According to the Sanitary-epidemiologic requirements No. 2.2.4.3539-16, item 3.2.6, it is necessary to assess health risks for workers who are exposed to noise ranging from 80 to 85 dB(A) at their workplaces.The aim of the study was to develop methodical approaches to quantitative assessment of risks caused by exposure to excess noise and to test them at enterprises located in Perm.Data and methods. When developing methodical approaches, we revised research works that focused on impacts exerted by noise on workers’ bodies and probable responses caused by them as well as on procedures for occupational risks assessment. When testing our approaches, we applied hygienic assessment and epidemiologic analysis procedures, and statistically analyzed data on three enterprises located in Perm (334 workers; 210 out of them were exposed to noise varying from 80 to 85 dB(A) at their workplaces).Results. We suggested the following risk assessment algorithm: creating a test group and a reference one; determining any possible relations between exposure to noise and frequency of responses from the critical body organs and systems under the Guide No. 2.2.1766-03; calculating probability and risks of occupational diseases; comparing obtained results with unacceptable risk levels. We analyzed three enterprises located in Perm and didn’t reveal any occupational diseases. The risk of occupational pathology caused by exposure to noise being higher than MPL (80-85 dB(A)) amounted to 6.4∙10-3 at the enterprise No. 3Conclusion. Suggested approaches to quantitative health risk assessment allow assessing whether exposure to noise is acceptable or not, to meet requirements fixed in the Sanitary-epidemiologic requirements No. 2.2.4.3539-16, item 3.2.6. Assessment results can give grounds for further development of preventive activities and managerial decisions aimed at preserving workers’ health.


2017 ◽  
pp. 21-41
Author(s):  
Marta Borowska-Stefańska

The aim of the article is to assess the present level of land development of flood risk areas in selected communes of the Łódź province in the context of potential negative consequences for people, the natural environment, cultural heritage and economic operations. The research includes urban as well as urban and rural communes (9 communes in total) of the Łódź province which display high and very high flood risk levels according to the methodology used in Flood protection operating plan for the Łódź province from 2013 ( Plan operacyjny… 2013). Uniejów and Warta have the highest synthetic flood risk levels due to the surface occupied by buildings and areas assigned to individual risk categories. In turn, Łowicz and Tomaszów Mazowiecki (town) display the highest general flood risk level due to diversification of buildings and areas of individual risk categories.


Author(s):  
I.I. Taranushina ◽  
◽  
O.V. Popova ◽  
◽  

The model for assessing the levels of occupational risks was introduced and is used at the mechanical engineering enterprises during lifting equipment operation. The analysis of injuries carried out six months after the start of its use and familiarization of employees with the register and the level of hazards showed a decrease in risk levels in relation to previous periods. The results of the study of the procedure for managing occupational risks when working on three types of cranes are presented: electric bridge crane; gantry crane and single-girder electric supporting bridge crane. The first two listed cranes are installed at hazardous production facilities. After drawing up a plan for assessing occupational risks at the stage of risk identification, the method of questionnaires was used to collect information about production processes and determine the register of hazards. To analyze the work of the occupational health and safety management system, a multi-level control of the technological process and ensuring its safety was introduced. In practice, the relevance and availability of the Fine — Kinney method for assessing the levels of occupational risks was confirmed. When studying the significance of the impact of the procedures (elements) of the occupational health and safety management system on the probability of a hazard and, consequently, on the final level of occupational risk, the method of expert assessments was used. The methods for formalizing assessment results proposed and implemented in the organizations reflect all the stages of the process and provide answers at any stage of the study of the occupational risk levels. The measures developed based on the results of the assessment of occupational risk levels allow to maintain safe working conditions and prevent the occurrence of hazards that lead to injuries at work.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-221
Author(s):  
C.E. Alaneme ◽  
S.A. Al-Jeshi ◽  
S.B. Al-Otaibi

Compliance with new regulations in old plants remains a recurring challenge because of negative outcome of incidents. This challenge stems from uncertainties in the facilities’ integrity, owing to inadequacy of existing integrity-validating technologies. Process facilities deteriorate through cyclic operations, while encroachments from expanding population characteristically raise the risk-levels, leading to need for higher grade materials to meet operational expansions. Retroactive compliance becomes a nightmare with every new regulation without a robust cost-to-benefit assurance. This paper discusses two-phased qualitative and quantitative risk modelling approach through systematic field-data-gathering, hazards identification and analysis by a twelve-man risk management engineers. The methodology successfully computed a “health-check" of the facility’s compliance to new regulations, 17 high-risk-hazards were extracted from 42 potential hazards and successfully established varied individual risk levels ranging from 4.07E-06 to 1.64E-04/year. Also, risks ranged from 1.00E-04 to 5.00E-05/year of tolerable risks to the environment, society, and business were recorded across the facility while, 22 risk-mitigation actions were recommended.


2020 ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
N.V. Zaitseva ◽  
◽  
P.Z. Shur ◽  
V.B. Alekseev ◽  
A.A. Savochkina ◽  
...  

If we want to assess occupational risks predetermined by various health disorders among workers related to occupational factors and labor process factors, we need to examine whether additional methods can be applied here; these methods should allow not only quantitative determination of occupational risk but also its adequate categorizing. A procedure for risk assessment based on fuzzy sets analysis can be considered and applied for the matter. Suggested methodical approaches to occupational risk assessment based on this procedure involve step-by-step accomplishment of the following stages: determining fuzzy figures corresponding to preset occupational risk levels; preparing initial data (numeric characteristics of occupational risk) for calculations; probabilistic assessment whether a numeric characteristic of occupational risk belongs to fuzzy numbers; and estimated probability of belonging of occupational risk numeric characteristic. A basic instrument for implementing the procedure is determining a membership function for a trapezoid fuzzy number that estimates whether determined risk assessments belong to a specific risk category. We suggested a scale for assessing occupational risk levels, starting from negligible (0–1∙10-4) to extremely high (3∙10-1–1) and corresponding boundaries of trapezoid fuzzy interval (four figures that define a trapezoid number). The procedure was tested in a situation when occupational diseases (sensorineural hearing loss), work-related diseases (arterial hypertension), and their combinations were revealed under exposure to noise equal to 85 dBA; the tests allowed establishing that membership functions were equal to 1 for all risk levels determined as per results obtained via epidemiologic research.


2020 ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
N.V. Zaitseva ◽  
◽  
P.Z. Shur ◽  
V.B. Alekseev ◽  
A.A. Savochkina ◽  
...  

If we want to assess occupational risks predetermined by various health disorders among workers related to occupational factors and labor process factors, we need to examine whether additional methods can be applied here; these methods should allow not only quantitative determination of occupational risk but also its adequate categorizing. A procedure for risk assessment based on fuzzy sets analysis can be considered and applied for the matter. Suggested methodical approaches to occupational risk assessment based on this procedure involve step-by-step accomplishment of the following stages: determining fuzzy figures corresponding to preset occupational risk levels; preparing initial data (numeric characteristics of occupational risk) for calculations; probabilistic assessment whether a numeric characteristic of occupational risk belongs to fuzzy numbers; and estimated probability of belonging of occupational risk numeric characteristic. A basic instrument for implementing the procedure is determining a membership function for a trapezoid fuzzy number that estimates whether determined risk assessments belong to a specific risk category. We suggested a scale for assessing occupational risk levels, starting from negligible (0–1∙10-4) to extremely high (3∙10-1–1) and corresponding boundaries of trapezoid fuzzy interval (four figures that define a trapezoid number). The procedure was tested in a situation when occupational diseases (sensorineural hearing loss), work-related diseases (arterial hypertension), and their combinations were revealed under exposure to noise equal to 85 dBA; the tests allowed establishing that membership functions were equal to 1 for all risk levels determined as per results obtained via epidemiologic research


Author(s):  
Vadim B. Alekseev ◽  
Nina V. Zaitseva ◽  
Pavel Z. Shur

Despite wide legislation basis of regulating relations in work safety and workers’ health, one third of workplaces demonstrate exceeded allowable normal levels of workers’ exposure to occupational hazards and present occupational risk for health disorders.In accordance to national legislation acts, evaluation should cover factors of occupational environment and working process, and occupational risk is understood in context of mandatory social insurance. This approach has been formed due to mostly compensatory trend in legal principles of work safety in Russia by now. Implementation of new preventive concept of work safety, based on idea of risk management for workers, necessitates development of legal acts that regulate requirements to evaluation of occupational risk and its reports with consideration of changes in Federal Law on 30 March 1999 №52 FZ “On sanitary epidemiologic well-being of population”.Those acts can include Sanitary Rules and Regulations “Evaluation of occupational risk for workers’ health”, that will contain main principles of risk assessment, requirements to risk assessment, including its characteristics which can serve as a basis of categorizing the risk levels with acceptability.To standardize requirements for informing a worker on the occupational risk, the expediency is specification of sanitary rules “Notifying a worker on occupational risk”. These rules should contain requirements: to a source of data on occupational risk level at workplace, to informational content and to ways of notifying the worker. Specification and implementation of the stated documents enable to fulfil legal requirements completely on work safety — that will provide preservation and increase of efficiency in using work resources.


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