Safe Working Cycle: Is It a Panacea to Combat Construction Site Safety Accidents in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, the accident statistics of the construction industry is still comparatively higher than other industries. However, accident rates within the industry have significantly decreased, starting from the implementation of diverse safety initiatives, including the Safe Working Cycle (SWC). In this study, a post-positivist philosophical stance was adopted, and a questionnaire survey was launched to gather empirical data on the application of SWC in construction projects, the effectiveness of the safety initiative, and the benefits thereof. The data gathered from 197 construction participants were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean score, Mann–Whitney U-Test, Kendall’s concordance analysis, Chi-square value, Spearman rank-order correlation test and exploratory factor analysis. The findings revealed significant adoption of SWC in the Hong Kong construction industry. Furthermore, daily, weekly, and monthly inspections and supervisions and safety committee meetings are effective items of this safety initiative. The benefits of adopting SWC can be grouped into the safety of frontline workers and increase in the organisation’s safety commitment and reputation. This study has created an excellent theoretical platform for future research work on the usefulness of the SWC in the construction industry at large.

Ergonomic Risk Factors in Ground Handling Operations to Improve Corporate Performance

Ground handling operations can be accepted as the heart of safe flight, beginning from the ground to the air. In ground handling activities where there is tight time pressure, human resources are of great importance in efficient and safe service. This study presents ergonomic risk factors affecting the operational and corporate performance of aircraft ground handling services. Ergonomic related performance fields are identified via expert opinion and a taxonomy focusing on classified error conditions for ground handling services. The taxonomy is developed to improve corporate performance while eliminating ergonomic risks and maintaining a safe working environment. Identified performance risks are intended to be a guide for operational managers in aircraft ground operations in the field of investments, decision making and safe operations.

Assessment of Hazard and Risk Related Activities at Npdc-Ogini Oil Field Flow Station, Okpaile in Isoko North, Delta State, Nigeria

The activities of oil, Gas and energy contains numerous hazards which could lead to multiple disasters such as loss of capital, damage to reputation, and also degrading the environment. The Essence of job hazards analysis and risk assessment is to design a safe working environment and to control and reduced potential hazards. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed in this study. Topographic statistics were also obtained from goggle earth and STRM (30M x 30M resolution) download from the United State Geological Survey. Questionnaires were administered to 100 people from 3 different department at NPDC-Ogini flow station in a confidential manner. A descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, median and standard deviation were used through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.2 and Microsoft Excel 2007 software to analyze the data generated. Inferential statistics were used to test the hypothesis. The hypothesis were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study has identified associated hazards and the risk level attached to the confirmed activities of Ogini field flow station. The analysis show that the F. calculated value was 0.759 and the F-table value was 0.471. Since the F- table value is less than the F-calculated value .The result of the hypothesis has also shown that there is no significant relationship between job hazards analysis and risk assessment of the flow station activities. Companies in this sector should have a proactive thinking and attitude towards all activities and also have a reasonable level of preparedness and preparedness plans in place in case of any incidence. If these hazards are properly managed and controlled with all measures in place and also adhering to all regulatory agencies both locally and internationally, the companies will achieve a zero goal in incidence and accidents.

Ensuring safe working conditions during the rehabilitation of operated combined insulated rolled roofs

The recommended option for rehabilitation of operated combined insulated rolled roofs allows to reduce the cost of measures to ensure safe working conditions. The article proposes a construction solution similar to an inverted roof. In the proposed solution, the role of a vapor barrier is played by the repaired layers of the existing waterproofing layer to which the insulation board has been attached.

THE CHALLENGES OF MAJOR TANK COATING REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS FOR ON-STATION FLOATING ASSETS

The objective of this paper is to acknowledge that major tank coating refurbishment projects to FPSO’s and FSU’s are likely to be required during the life of these assets. It highlights the key challenges of achieving these major coating projects in an offshore environment, whilst the assets remain operational and in-production. As these floating assets age the original coatings applied to protect the internal (and external) hull, deteriorate. In an industry with a reluctance for extensive dry-dockings, there is an expectation that any coating refurbishment campaigns can be achieved safely and efficiently whilst the assets remain on-station and in-production, in preference to costly steel renewal’s which may be required at a future date if coatings are not maintained in good condition. With often complex, congested and hazardous topsides processing equipment and pipework directly above the hull tanks, there’s a need for systems, procedures, and specialist equipment to ensure the safety of the personnel entering confined spaces for extended periods. There’s also a need to plan and engineer the works appropriately, using best practice and emergent technologies to improve safety, reduce bedding impacts and to ensure the success of the coating campaign. This paper explores the challenges of major coating projects by discussing the importance of planning and preparation, the need to create a safe working environment within the confined space worksites, the role surface preparation plays in the success of coating projects, and finally the application of coatings and the challenges this operation can present. The key considerations are summarised in 10 specific conclusions as guidance to promote successful project outcomes.

Experimental Study of Ultrasonic Vibration Effects on Punch Radial in Sheet Hydroforming Process

Nowadays, one of the metal forming processes that are widely used in industries is sheet hydroforming. Because of high complexity and sensitivity, this process needs precise calculations in the die and method to control metal flow correctly and prevent defects. Therefore recently, new processes were combined to this process to increase precision and effectiveness. For example, ultrasonic vibration assistance forming. Using hydroforming and ultrasonic vibration as new methods were studied in several research types separately, and each of them redounded to different analyses and improvements in the process. Even synchronic use of these two methods was studied in some metal forming processes such as tube hydroforming, but it has not been studied in sheet hydroforming. Therefore the aim of this research is the experimental study of St14 sheet hydroforming ultrasonic vibration assistance. For this purpose, ultrasonic vibration (with 20 KHz frequency and 4μm amplitude) was applied to a hydromechanical deep drawing die into punch radial in the hydroforming process. Then process parameters consisting of LDR, maximum height, forming force, safe working zone, and thickness distribution were determined and compared in four case states conventional deep drawing(CDD), hydroforming deep drawing(HDD), ultrasonic vibration assistance deep drawing(UDD) and ultrasonic vibration assistance hydroforming deep drawing(UHDD). Results indicated that applying ultrasonic vibration into the sheet hydroforming process increases LDR and the maximum height of the cup, decreases forming force and develops a safe working zone. Also was very effective in thickness distribution and decrease of sheet thinning in critical sections.

Smart Safety Helmet for Safe Coal Mining

In any production and service industry, the safety of their workers/labors is very critical. The workers directly related with production are generally more prone to the threats because of their exposure to electro-mechanical, chemical, thermal, environmental, civil and other hazards. The coal mining industry in one of the most risky industries in terms of workers’ lives hazards. In the under-developed countries, any potential disaster in the underground mining turns into huge catastrophic losses of both the human lives and equipment. This paper presents some statistical data of mining disasters worldwide and propose an architecture for a smart helmet to be used by miners for their safe working inside the coalmines.

LIFE-TIME PREDICTION FOR POLYMER MATERIALS

Polymer testing including natural, accelerated testing or creep and fatigue testing, etc. is very important to evaluate the changes in properties, structure, morphology and durability of polymer materials. This is also the basis for experts to predict life-time or service working life or safe working life of polymer materials. This review presents an overview of the life-time prediction for polymer materials owing to natural tests or accelerated ageing tests and the methods for extrapolation of data from induced thermal degradation.

The jury is out – Can the HR managers be the choice architects in a post-pandemic work setting?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the role of HR managers as choice architects to increase the communication efforts for vaccination drives, thereby making the workplace a safe place for all employees.Design/methodology/approachThis study used qualitative research methodology and interviewed 10 HR managers.FindingsThe findings indicate that HR managers can use the nudge theory and choice architecture to encourage employees towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.Practical implicationsHR professionals will get an alternate perspective regarding how learnings from behavioural economics can be leveraged in a post-pandemic world which can help them create a safe working environment.Originality/valueThis paper is an attempt to explore how learnings from behavioural economics (that is, nudge theory and choice architecture) can be leveraged by HR managers to design default options while organizing COVID-19 vaccination camps to motivate employees to get fully vaccinated and hence creating a safe working environment.