scholarly journals Human-Centered Robotic Development in the Steel Shop: Improving Health, Safety and Digital Skills at the Workplace

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 647
Author(s):  
Valentina Colla ◽  
Ruben Matino ◽  
Antonius Johannes Schröder ◽  
Mauro Schivalocchi ◽  
Lea Romaniello
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
End Users ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Steel Sector ◽  
Robot Cooperation ◽  
Robotic Workstation

Within the implementation of the Industry 4.0 paradigm in the steel sector, robots can play a relevant role in improving health and safety conditions at the workplace, by overtaking cumbersome, repetitive and risky operations. However, the implementation of robotics solutions in this particular sector is hampered by harsh operating conditions and by particular features of many procedures, which require a combination of force and sensitivity. Human–robot cooperation is a viable solution to overcome existing barriers, by synergistically combining human and robot abilities in the sense of a human-centered Industry 5.0. In this sense, robotics solution should be designed in a way to integrate and meet the end-users’ demands in a common development process for successfully implementation and widely acceptance. The paper presents the outcomes of the field evaluation of a robotic workstation, which was designed for a complex maintenance operation that is daily performed in the steel shop. The system derives from a co-creation process, where workers were involved since the beginning in the design process, according to the paradigm of social innovation combining technological and social development. Therefore, the evaluation aimed at assessing both system reliability and end-users’ satisfaction. The results show that the human-centered robotic workstations are successful in reducing cumbersome operations and improving workers’ health and safety conditions, and that this fact is clearly perceived by system users and developers.

Introduction of symbiotic human-robot-cooperation in the steel sector: an example of social innovation

2017 ◽  
Vol 105 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Colla ◽  
Antonius Schroeder ◽  
Andrea Buzzelli ◽  
Dario Abbà ◽  
Andrea Faes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Steel Sector ◽  
Robot Cooperation

Introduction of the Taurus™ 65 Industrial Gas Turbine for Power Generation

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Rocha ◽  
Simon Reynolds ◽  
Theresa Brown
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Operating Cycle ◽  
Product Experience ◽  
Exhaust Heat

Solar Turbines Incorporated has combined proven technology and product experience to develop the new Taurus 65 gas turbine for industrial power generation applications. The single-shaft engine is designed to produce 6.3 megawatts of electrical power with a 33% thermal efficiency at ISO operating conditions. Selection of the final engine operating cycle was based on extensive aerodynamic-cycle studies to achieve optimum output performance with increased exhaust heat capacity for combined heat and power installations. The basic engine configuration features an enhanced version of the robust Centaur®50 air compressor coupled to a newly designed three-stage turbine similar to the Taurus 70 turbine design. Advanced cooling technology and materials are used in the dry, lean-premix annular combustor, consistent with Solar’s proven SoLoNOx™ combustion technology, capable of reducing pollutant emissions while operating on standard natural gas or diesel liquid fuels. Like the Titan™ 130 and Taurus 70 products, a traditional design philosophy has been applied in development of the Taurus 65 gas turbine by utilizing existing components, common technology and product experience to minimize risk, lower cost and maximize durability. A comprehensive factory test plan and extended field evaluation program was used to validate the design integrity and demonstrate product durability prior to full market introduction.

scholarly journals OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING – A SNAPSHOT OF EMPLOYEES’ LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 3905-3910
Author(s):  
Galya Stankova ◽  
◽  
Nevena Tzacheva ◽  
Lidiya Hristova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
Resource Interactions ◽  
Efficient Resource

Introduction: The EU strategy “Europe 2020” sets up the instruments and targets for better educational levels and training as social dialogue, awareness-levels raising, law enforcement in the field of EU and national legislation. There are efficient resource interactions with other policy areas such as public health and education. EU funds, such as the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Program for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), will support the application of rules relating to health and safety at work. Purpose of this study is analysis and evaluation of the employees, knowledge about health and safety at the workplace and how effective were the conducted OHS training. Tasks: Defining the level of awareness of workers for possibilities of health damage at work. Measuring the level of OSH training support for the implementation of preventive approaches to health protection in the workflow. Studying the preliminary psychological attitude towards OHS training both for employers and employees. Method: Survey through a questionnaire held among workers and employees in several branches of the private sector. Results: The study provides summarized information on several subjects: workers’ knowledge about dangerous hazards in their own working environment; adherence of the safety at work rules; proper use of personal protective equipment and specific work protective equipment; types of training, outreach and education the employees have undergone; levels of basic knowledge of the law and regulations related to OHS; most common methods of OHS training and education and their interpretation for safety and health at work. Conclusions: Most workers are well aware of the health risks at their workplaces. All of them have passed at least one educational course related to OHS. More than 2/3 of the respondents have participated in several types of training. Workers have a basic knowledge of Bulgarian employment law, but it’s incomplete and can be extended to a better degree. The most common reason for participating in Health and Safety at work training is obligatory both by law or higher management of the company. There is a high need to supplement the OHS legislation.

scholarly journals Use of a card game tool to capture end users' preferences and add sustainability value to social housing projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Adrieli Cristina Vieira de Carvalho ◽  
Ariovaldo Denis Granja ◽  
Vanessa Gomes da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Social Housing ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
End Users ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Card Game ◽  
Housing Projects ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Sustainable Value ◽  
Safety Parameters

Abstract The construction industry is increasingly adopting sustainable strategies to reduce environmental impacts. Despite this increase, some barriers are still perceived in the real estate market for sustainable buildings. One of them is the delivery of products that are not aligned with the needs and values of end users. This paper investigates the aspired sustainability values in housing projects based on the concept of stated preferences. A card game tool was developed based on the AQUA - HQE(tm) rating system and applied to ask a 164-respondent sample, assembled from four social housing projects to identify their preferences regarding sustainable construction. Responses were statistically analyzed based on bootstrap confidence values and on the index of general significance (IGS) of each sustainable value attribute. Results show a sustainable value hierarchy, in which the health and safety parameters were the most valued. This study confirms the validity of using a set of illustrated cards as a potential tool for identifying sustainability values end users bear and consequently improving decision-making process within sustainable products development.

Social responsibility and the SDGs: vignettes of Caribbean tour operators

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-292
Author(s):  
Pauline Milwood
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Iso 26000 ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Caribbean Tourism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to better understand how Caribbean tourism micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) perceive their corporate sustainability and social responsibility (CSSR) practices during design and implementation of new innovations. This knowledge helps our understanding of how the uniquely tourist-dependent region of the Caribbean can, through the social innovation practices of MSMEs, maximize its contribution to attainment of the 2030 sustainable development goals. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a responsibility–sustainability framework premised on seven core subjects of the International Guidance (ISO 26000) for Social Responsibility and goals from the 2030 Agenda to analyze interview data from tour operators in five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) territories: Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia. Findings The results reveal that when designing new products and services, Caribbean tour operators contribute to sustainable development through social and economic change, responsible business model design, fair labor and operating practices, environmental sustainability and health and safety education. These behaviors do vary and are not consistent across the tour operators. Research limitations/implications Social and business planners and policymakers should create deliberate and purposeful mechanisms designed for Caribbean tourism MSMEs to have a fulsome understanding of how they might maximize contributions to the 2030 Agenda. Originality/value This work represents the first instance of use of the ISO 26000 Guidance in a Caribbean tourism context and provides insight into tour operators’ views toward corporate sustainability and CSSR.

scholarly journals Mutual Learning in Innovation and Co-Creation Processes: Integrating Technological and Social Innovation

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kohlgrüber ◽  
Karina Maldonado-Mariscal ◽  
Antonius Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Social Innovation ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Social Practices ◽  
End Users ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Process Technology ◽  
Mutual Learning ◽  
The People

New digital solutions are often lacking integration and acceptance by potential users. Therefore, only a small amount of innovative software solutions is really in use. The article describes a co-creation process by integrating end-users and relevant stakeholders right in the beginning in a social innovation process. Within this process, technology is seen as an enabler of innovation getting its relevance from new social practices of the people using it (e.g. working practices). Against the background of EU funded projects conducted by the authors (GT-VET, GREEN STAR, COCOP, and ROBOHARSH) the relevance of mutual learning processes of engineers / researchers / trainers on the one side and end-users / beneficiaries / learners on the other side will become evident. Moreover, new (digital and analogue) skills of employees have been identified as key for a successful digital transformation. Thereby, this article shows a twofold perspective on social innovation in education: new skills demands for employees and mutual learning processes of developers and users/stakeholders. To obtain needed skills, traditional innovation practices have to be changed by setting up a social innovation process. Such a process design has to include stakeholder and user involvement beyond pure feedback on a new technology. Co-creation means that experience, knowledge and ideas of users will be considered to ensure high usability and impact of the new technology framed by organisational and people related measures. In this respect, the innovation process and the innovation itself is much more than technological functionality–it is a contribution to new social practices and performances of the people that innovate and use the technology.

scholarly journals Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from a Public Health Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
U Erklavec ◽  
C Birt ◽  
N Pushkarev
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Common Agricultural Policy ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Public Health Perspective

Abstract European Common agricultural policy (CAP) can impact several health outcomes like increased antibiotic resistant infections, poor health of farm workers and unhealthy diets which lead to several non-communicable diseases. Rapid literature review of public health recommendations for a new CAP covers several topics from environment, pesticides, livestock and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to diet, food systems and others. Recommendations on pesticides are to periodically upgrade minimum standards of pesticides, reduce or abandon the use of pesticides and sustainable management of water quality in agriculture. In relation to livestock and antimicrobial resistance, EU should dedicate financial resources for programmes aimed at decreasing animal numbers, stop support for industrial livestock production through CAP subsidies and adopt low-antibiotics farming methods. To ensure better diet and food systems we need sustainable dietary guidelines, food labelling schemes, public procurement of healthy, local and seasonal foodstuffs, food education and campaigns, promoting food systems thinking at all levels, increase productivity of fruit and vegetable cultivation and social innovation in food supply chains. Other recommendations state that CAP should end support for wine sector and that CAP should include training, payment of adequate wages and health and safety standards, and lastly implementation of Health impact assessment of CAP. Agricultural policy is a very complex field with many stakeholders and consequently also implications on many levels. To make health a more visible and important objective, we need more public health experts to take part in advocacy for healthier CAP.

scholarly journals Clavicular Fracture in a Collegiate Football Player: A Case Report of Rapid Return to Play

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah B. Rabe ◽  
Gretchen D. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Football Player ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Clavicular Fracture ◽  
Rehabilitation Protocols ◽  
Division I Football

Abstract Objective: To present the case of surgical treatment and rehabilitation of a midshaft clavicular fracture in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football athlete. Background: While attempting to catch a pass during practice, the athlete jumped up and then landed on the tip of his shoulder. On-the-field evaluation was inconclusive, with a sideline evaluation diagnosis of clavicular fracture. Postinjury radiographs revealed a midshaft clavicular fracture. Differential Diagnosis: Spiral oblique midshaft clavicular fracture. Treatment: The sports medicine staff discussed surgical and nonsurgical options. A surgical procedure of internal fixation with an 8-hole plate was performed. Uniqueness: Surgical treatment for clavicular fractures is becoming increasingly common. This is the first report of an advanced rehabilitation protocol for surgical repair. We suggest that new rehabilitation protocols for clavicular repairs be investigated now that surgical treatment is being pursued more frequently. Conclusions: More aggressive treatment procedures and rehabilitation protocols for clavicular fractures have evolved in recent years. With these medical advancements, athletes are able to return to play much more quickly without compromising their health and safety.

Maximizing the Role of Digital Social Innovation in Building the Future of Social Protection Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelio Fernández López
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Protection Systems ◽  
The Future ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Social Protection Systems

Social protection systems are in a major process of transformation. Solutions from the past are no longer valid, or at least valid without important adaptations, to address future adequacy, sustainability, and quality of social protections systems. Ageing, changes in the world of work and in the evolving aspirations of citizens will impact, even more than today, on the features of the welfare of the future. Supporting a social investment approach in the agenda of modernization to be pursued, which recognize the relevant role to be played by social innovation, will be a key aspect of the reforms that are needed. ICTs would help in ensuring cost effective services, reducing fragmentation, and favouring integrated social services. This will be, no doubt, a multi-faceted and complex process, but there are choices that can make a difference in maximizing the potential that ICT, s can bring: An adequate leading role of public authorities and institutions at different territorial levels; a full involvement of all relevant stakeholders in a framework of reinforced and changing relationships; and a strategic outcome-based approach, supported by evidence-outcomes will contribute to unleash this potential. This article analyses, based on relevant successful experiences, some of the major interactions involved in the development and translation of enabling-ICTs to the fulfilment of social policy objectives.

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