scholarly journals Workplace Biological Risk Assessment: Review of Existing and Description of a Comprehensive Approach

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Burzoni ◽  
Philippe Duquenne ◽  
Gautier Mater ◽  
Luc Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Biological Risk ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Occupational Setting ◽  
Hazard Level ◽  
Exposure Indicators ◽  
Pathogenic Agents ◽  
Hazard Levels

Biological risks potentially affect workers in multiple occupational sectors through their exposure to pathogenic agents. These risks must be carefully assessed to prevent adverse health effects. This article identifies and critically analyzes approaches that manage the qualitative evaluation of biological risk (EvBR) as part of occupational health and safety prevention, for which no standard method yet exists. Bibliographic and computing references were searched to identify qualitative EvBR approaches, which were then analyzed based on defined criteria, such as the risks studied and the type of assessment. Approaches proposing the most representative types of assessment were analyzed. EvBR approaches in an occupational setting were identified in 32 sources. “Workstation analysis” combined with “assessment by risk level” were the most common approaches. The predominant risk descriptors (RDs) were defined in a characterized and quantifiable way, and a variety of hazard levels and exposure indices were created. Overall, the risk was determined by summing or multiplying the hazard level and exposure indicators. The results confirmed that no methodological consensus currently exists regarding the EvBR and no approach has yet been described that integrates all the parameters to allow for a full assessment of biological risk. Based on the detailed analysis of the existing data, the present paper proposes a general approach.

Public health implications of waste water reuse for fish production

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. El-S. Easa ◽  
M. M. Shereif ◽  
A. I. Shaaban ◽  
K. H. Mancy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Waste Water ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Fresh Water Fish ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Treated Effluent

Public health and safety concerns have traditionally been the main reasons for resisting waste water reuse for fish farming. Potential adverse health effects in such applications could be avoided if the waste is sufficiently treated before reuse. In a full scale demonstration study in Suez, Egypt, about 400 m3/d of raw sewage were treated using a multi-compartment stabilization pond system, for a total residence time from 21-26 days. The treated effluent conformed to WHO guidelines and was used for rearing two types of local fish (tilapia and gray mullet). The produced fish were subjected to an extensive monitoring program. Bacteriological examination revealed that in all samples the fish muscles were free of bacterial contaminants. Nevertheless, low levels of Escherichia coli andAeromonas hydrophila, were isolated from the surface of the fish. Salmonellae, shigellae and staphylococcus aureus were absent from the surface of all the fish sampled. In addition, toxic metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd) were found to be at much lower levels than the international advisory limits for human consumption. It is concluded that fish reared in the treated effluent at Suez Experimental Station is (a) suitable for marketing for human consumption, and (b) it's quality is equal or better than fresh water fish in Egypt.

scholarly journals Biological risk assessment: A challenge for occupational health and safety practitioners during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Carlos Carvalhais ◽  
Micaela Querido ◽  
Cristiana C. Pereira ◽  
Joana Santos
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Biological Risk ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Qualitative Risk Assessment ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Medium Risk

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. One of these is the need to (re)assess the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to promote guidance to occupational safety and health practitioners when conducting a biological risk assessment in this context. METHODS: The main steps of the biological risk assessment are explained with some inputs regarding the novelty posed by SARS-CoV-2 and an example of a qualitative risk assessment method is presented. Also, its application to two different activities was exemplified. RESULTS: In both cases, the assessment considered that vulnerable workers were working from home or in medical leave. The results showed low or medium risk level for the assessed tasks. For medium risk level, additional controls are advised, such maintain social distancing, sanitize instruments/equipment before use, use proper and well-maintained PPE (when applicable), and promote awareness sessions to spread good practices at work. Employers must be aware of their obligations regarding biological risk assessment and OSH practitioners must be prepared to screen and link the abundance of scientific evidence generated following the outbreak, with the technical practice. CONCLUSIONS: This paper could be an important contribution to OSH practice since it highlights the need to (re)assess occupational risks, especially biological risk, to ensure a safe return to work, providing technical guidance.

Methodology for seismic risk assessment for tubular steel wind turbine towers: application to Canadian seismic environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Nuta ◽  
Constantin Christopoulos ◽  
Jeffrey A. Packer
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Seismic Loading ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Design Spectrum ◽  
Wind Turbine Tower ◽  
Damage States ◽  
Wind Turbine Towers ◽  
Hazard Level ◽  
Hazard Levels

The seismic response of tubular steel wind turbine towers is of significant concern as they are increasingly being installed in seismic areas and design codes do not clearly address this aspect of design. The seismic hazard is hence assessed for the Canadian seismic environment using implicit finite element analysis and incremental dynamic analysis of a 1.65 MW wind turbine tower. Its behaviour under seismic excitation is evaluated, damage states are defined, and a framework is developed for determining the probability of damage of the tower at varying seismic hazard levels. Results of the implementation of this framework in two Canadian locations are presented herein, where the risk was found to be low for the seismic hazard level prescribed for buildings. However, the design of wind turbine towers is subject to change, and the design spectrum is highly uncertain. Thus, a methodology is outlined to thoroughly investigate the probability of reaching predetermined damage states under any seismic loading conditions for future considerations.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of low-impact development for urban inundation risk mitigation under different scenarios: a case study in Shenzhen, China

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 2525-2536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiansheng Wu ◽  
Rui Yang ◽  
Jing Song
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Low Impact Development ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Storm Water Management Model ◽  
Inundation Depth ◽  
High Hazard ◽  
Hazard Level ◽  
Hazard Levels

Abstract. The increase in impervious surfaces associated with rapid urbanization is one of the main causes of urban inundation. Low-impact development (LID) practices have been studied for mitigation of urban inundation. This study used a hydrodynamic inundation model, coupling SWMM (Storm Water Management Model) and IFMS-Urban (Integrated Flood Modelling System–Urban), to assess the effectiveness of LID under different scenarios and at different hazard levels. The results showed that LID practices can effectively reduce urban inundation. The maximum inundation depth was reduced by 3 %–29 %, average inundation areas were reduced by 7 %–55 %, and average inundation time was reduced by 0 %–43 % under the eight scenarios. The effectiveness of LID practices differed for the three hazard levels, with better mitigation of urban inundation at a low hazard level than at a high hazard level. Permeable pavement (PP) mitigated urban inundation better than green roofs (GRs) under the different scenarios and at different hazard levels. We found that more implementation area with LID was not necessarily more efficient, and the scenario of 10 % PP+10 % GR was more efficient for the study area than other scenarios. The results of this study can be used by local governments to provide suggestions for urban inundation control, disaster reduction, and urban renewal.

scholarly journals Risks assessment in terms of OHS for critical power infrastructures in context of industrial safety

2021 ◽  
Vol 343 ◽  
pp. 10020
Author(s):  
Dragos Pasculescu ◽  
Nicolae Daniel Fita ◽  
Emilia Grigorie ◽  
Florin Gabriel Popescu ◽  
Alina Daniela Handra
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Critical Infrastructure ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Industrial Safety ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Global Risk ◽  
Safety Level ◽  
Systemic Analysis ◽  
Power Substation

The aim of occupational health and safety in the context of industrial safety is to provide the national industry with a proper operation state, an ergonomic, optimal and healthy work environment, safe workers and workplaces, safety of industrial processes, to limit and mitigate any unforeseen situation generated by events which might negatively affect the occupational health and safety level. The current paper approaches the risk assessment in terms of occupational health and safety within a cross-border 400/220 kV power substation interconnected to the European power grid, identified and assigned as European critical infrastructure. The assessment is carried out using the INCDPM Bucharest method, in order to establish the risk/safety levels in a quantitative manner, based on a systemic analysis and on the assessment of risks of accidents and professional diseases. The application of the method ends in a workplace assessment sheet which comprises the global risk level of the power substation and which sets the grounds for the plan for preventing accidents and professional diseases within the analysed power substation.

scholarly journals Identifikasi Bahaya Longsor Lahan di Sebagian Wilayah Poncokusumo dan Wajak Kabupaten Malang

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-171
Author(s):  
Listyo Yudha Irawan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Landslide Hazard ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Forest Land ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Landslide Hazards ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
Hazard Level ◽  
Moderate Hazard ◽  
Hazard Levels

Poncokusumo and Wajak regions are one of the Districts in Malang Regency. Poncokusumo and Wajak have varied land uses, geology and morphogenesis. This physiographic condition has an effect on the increasing threat of landslides. This study aims to determine the level of landslide hazard and its distribution. The method used in the identification of landslide hazards is the scoring method which refers to the 2012 BNPB Head Regulation, Indonesian National Standard number 13-7124-2005, the Indirect Method, and the Indonesian Disaster Risk (RBI) BNPB 2016. The results showed that the geological conditions of the study area were composed of volcanic materials such as lava and lava deposits. This material is loose and unstable. Based on the slope classification, this area consists of flat areas with a slope of 0-8% to steep areas with a slope of> 40%. Based on the morphological conditions, it can be seen that this area is an area prone to landslides. Landslide hazard levels in parts of Poncokusumo and Wajak are low and medium. Low landslide hazard levels are dominated by forest land use. The level of danger of a lonsor is being dominated by the use of residential land. The area with a low hazard level is 860.8 Ha and the area with a moderate hazard level is 365.1 Ha. Keywords: landslide, hazard, GIS

scholarly journals Risk analysis of landslide as a basis of mitigation plan: a case study of Mangunan Village, Bantul, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 933 (1) ◽  
pp. 012034
Author(s):  
S Aminatun ◽  
Jafar ◽  
A U Jamal
Keyword(s):  
High Capacity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Risk Map ◽  
Risk Zone ◽  
Capacity Level ◽  
Hazard Level

Abstract When rainy season comes, in Mangunan Village, landslide occurs frequently. Mangunan is one of the villages in Bantul District that possesses high intensity of landslide events. Located in a contoured hilly area on the eastern region of Bantul District is one of the reasons. This study aims to analyze the risk of landslide in Mangunan by detailing the risk map, which constitutes a general risk map, and to identify the number of households that are currently residing in each risk-zone area. In this study, we applied a descriptive method that combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches in order to generate a good depiction of settlements in each risk-zone area. The data of this study can be classified into two categories, primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained from field activities such as interviews and field documentation. Meanwhile, secondary data were obtained from archives, notes, or reports from related agencies. The results of this study are: 1) the number of settlements that are located in high- and medium-vulnerability areas are 143 and 12, respectively; 2) Mangunan Village possesses high hazard level, medium to high vulnerability level, and high-capacity level which means the village has medium to high risk level; 3) Recommendations of infrastructure development for landslide mitigation.

Introduction of information technologies at the disinfection profile enterprise by example Moscow City Disinfection Center

2021 ◽  
pp. 68-74
Author(s):  
Pavel Yurevich Bychkov ◽  
◽  
Pavel Alexandrovich Mochalkin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Information Technologies ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Biological Risk ◽  
Biological Safety ◽  
Dispatch System ◽  
Moscow City ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The City ◽  
Analytical Center

In accordance with the national strategy "Sanitary Shield of the Country – Safety for Health," tasks were set for the analysis and assessment of risks in the field of biological safety. To do this: the Moscow City Disinfection Center is connected to a single dispatch system of the UNIT of the Department of Housing and Communal Services of Moscow, an Algorithm for working on the UNIT portal has been developed and uniform deadlines and procedure for fulfilling applications have been determined, the form of primary documentation has been determined. A unit is organized – the Unified Information and Analytical Center, whose tasks include organizing and conducting a single centralized reception, analysis and processing of incoming information (applications for unscheduled disinfection, deratization and disinsection, summary of rodent bites), generation and compilation of reports, as well as consulting support for real-time requests and appeals of the population, customers of the State Unitary Enterprise of the Moscow State Central Executive Committee, regulatory bodies through all available communication channels (telephone, e-mail, etc.). The scoring information system of assessment of a sanitary and sanitary and hygienic condition of objects is developed: apartment houses of the city of Moscow with the territories adjoining to them. The introduction of integrated work of these systems as a whole will allow organizations of the disinfection profile: to reduce the cost of deratizations, to reduce the number of disinfectants without reducing the quality of work, to avoid the excessive use of poisoned decoys, which will dramatically increase public health and safety of the population, as well as reduce the burden on the environment of the city of Moscow. Keywords: sanitary shield of the country, information and analytical center, scoring system of assessment of sanitary and epidemiological condition, electronic systems of rodent monitoring, biological safety, biological risk assessment, biological risk analysis, information support of disinfection activities, digitalization of disinfection measures.

scholarly journals MEVA - a new method of occupational health and safety risk assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 12008
Author(s):  
Doru-Costin Darabont ◽  
Eduard Smîdu ◽  
Alina Trifu ◽  
Vicențiu Ciocîrlea ◽  
Iulian Ivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Deductive Reasoning ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
New Method ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Safety Risk

The paper describes a new method of occupational health and safety risk assessment. This method, called MEVA, unlike the old ones, focuses more on reduce or eliminate subjective issues in determining the probability of manifestation of risk factors and is based on a deductive reasoning, with the help of which is studied the chain between two or more events. The novelty of the method consists in combining risk assessment techniques with evaluation of compliance with legal and other requirements, aiming to provide a more objective results of the risk assessment. In the MEVA method, the risk matrix is defined by 5 classes of severity and 5 probability classes, resulting in 5 levels of risk. After quantifying the risk factors, prevention measures are proposed for all the identified risk factors and each partial risk level is recalculated as a result of the proposed measures. The five levels of risk were grouped into three categories: acceptable, tolerable and unacceptable. The MEVA method is a simple method and it can be used for assessing various workplaces, with different characteristics of complexity, activity domain or occupational health and safety recordings.

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