Occupational Ocular Injuries and Utilization of Eye Protective Devices among Sawmill Workers in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

In this work, we carried out a cross-sectional study to assess occupational ocular injuries and utilization of eye protective devices among sawmill workers in the Ojo local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria A structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews among the sawmill workers. Pearson’s chi-squared test and t-test were used to test associations between variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 215 sawmill workers with a mean age of 37.08 ± 12.07 years participated in the study. A majority (55.8%) of the participants were male (93.7%), and a majority were 21–40 years old (55.8%). Of the participants, 78.6% were aware of occupational ocular injuries and 17.7% used ocular safety devices. The major barrier to the use of eye protective devices was unavailability (43%). Workers who were ≥20 years old (p < 0.001), who received a monthly salary of less than USD 100 (p < 0.043), who had work experience of ≥10 years (p < 0.04), who were aware of ocular hazards (p < 0.03), and who did not use protective eye devices (p < 0.02) were significantly associated with occupational ocular injuries compared to others. The prevalence of occupational ocular injuries and the utilization of eye safety devices among the sawmill workers in the current study were comparable to findings from other studies. Based on the results of our study, we advise the provision of ocular protective devices for sawmill workers and policies to enforce regular utilization.

A Functional Safety Assessment Methodology for Explosion Protection with Application to a Variable Frequency Drive System

Modern explosion protection equipment, protected by traditional explosion protection technology (as defined by the international electrotechnical commission (IEC) publication IEC60079-ff series standards) and electrical/electronic/programmable electronic (E/E/PE) safety-related systems, is becoming ever more complex in coal mine development and petrochemical industry; thus, the possibility of failures in their operation is also growing. It is well-known that E/E/PE safety-related systems can be used to actively control dangerous sources, with real and expected levels of reliability, if they have been qualified according to the IEC61508-ff series standards. To uniformly evaluate the safety integrity level (SIL) of the explosion protection function of traditional explosion protection technology and E/E/PE safety-related system technology, this study analyzed the ability of these types of protection to remove the ignition risk residual, evaluating the failure rates of safety devices. The key objective of this paper is the presentation of a new equipment protection level (EPL) assessment method for explosion protection equipment based on a functional safety assessment. The method is applied to a variable frequency drive (VFD) system, and the results show that the EPL of the explosion protection equipment evaluated by this method is consistent with the EPL corresponding to the traditional explosion protection type of the IEC60079-ff series standard. Meanwhile, the flexible configuration of explosion protection safety devices and E/E/PE safety-related systems enables explosion protection equipment of different EPL levels to be designed.

SWINGING OF THE LOAD ON THE TOWER CRANE AND PROBLEMS OF FIXING THE OSCILLATORY MOVEMENTS OF THE LOAD

The article considers the issues associated with the swinging of the load on the flexible suspension, the mechanical scheme of movement of trolley with load on the flexible suspension is represented, the processes start traveling mechanism of the trolley on a tower crane are investigated, the substantiation for the application of safety devices with the registration parameters fixed (register) load-swing is given, presented models of technical solutions to commit (register) load-swing.

Designing Motorcycle Security System Using E-KTP Sensor and SMS Gateway

Motorcycle demand is increasing as well as the cases of vehicle theft in Indonesia. Not only increase theft cases, number of new modes of theft of the motorcycle is also increase. According to the Statistics Supervisory Agency (BPS) data from 2015 to 2018, the data on the number of motorcycles is increasing, starting every year around 126,508,776 motorcycles are sold in Indonesia. In Indonesia, it is estimated that hundreds of motorbikes are stolen every month. How is the feasibility of motorcycle safety devices and the accuracy of the RFID module. Creating a motorcycle security system using a microcontroller-based RFID-RC522 module that can be read accurately and can be monitored in real time using received SMS and test the feasibility of a motorcycle safety device that can be monitored via cellphone. Making this tool using the Prototype method. The prototype is a development method from the previous system. The results of this research are in accordance with the analysis and design that has been made to get the result of an E-KTP-based motorcycle safety device to increase the security of personal items because this device can activate and deactivate motorcycles by using SMS. This tool can also help the community in maintaining security around the surrounding environment so that they can add a double security system to motorcycle vehicles.

Opening forces or failure of commercially available equine headcollars and other safety devices

A recent survey by the authors of the present study indicated that headcollar (halter, USA) related incidents resulting in horse injuries may be common. From the survey, 134 incidents involving horse fractures and 167 fatalities were reported. Headcollar design and materials vary markedly from traditional leather to “safety” headcollars and safety devices. Despite their almost universal use, there has been minimal study as to how these items function or specifications for performance. The aim of the present study was to select a range of commercially available standard headcollars and a number of safety devices, to test the force required to break or release them. Safety devices selected included baler twine, which is widely used by equestrians to attach a horse by a headcollar to a lead rope and in turn to a fixture. This system practice is perceived to increase safety. Devices were subjected to increasing load in the poll to lead-rope attachment axis (i.e. to simulate a horse pulling backward) using a custom-made steel rig incorporating an electric 1000 kg winch. The force was increased incrementally until either the headcollar or device opened or failed. The lowest mean opening force of 357 ± 50 N was for a safety headcollar, which is equivalent to a load of approximately 36 kg. The highest breaking force was 5798 ± 265 N for one of the eight different webbing headcollars tested. Breaking for safety devices ranged from 354 ± 121 N for “fine” baler twine to 1348 ± 307 N for a “heavy duty” baler twine. Variability in opening force was lowest in two of the webbing headcollars (CV < 5%) despite these having very high breaking points (>3500 N). The greatest variability was found for fine baler twine (CV = 34%) and one of the commercial safety devices (CV = 38%). The range of opening forces and variability in opening forces for standard headcollars, safety headcollars and safety devices is a cause for concern and may give horse owners/handlers a false sense of security with regards to safety, and actually predispose horses and handlers to an increased risk of injury.

TO ASSESSMENT OF THE VALUE OF DYNAMIC LOAD OF FORESTRY MACHINES FROM THE INSTALLATION PLACE OF ITS SAFETY DEVICES

An integral part of the drive elements of machines in forestry are devices that ensure their protection against breakdowns during overloads. Safety devices can be installed on various parts of the kinematic chain of the machine drive elements: at the beginning, at the end or in the middle, and can also be built into the working unit (body). It is most advisable to install fuses closer to the end of the drive lines of the kinematic chain of the machine. If torque safety devices are installed at the beginning or in the middle of the drive, they are not in the overload zone (more often, overload occurs next to the working unit or directly on it). Under these conditions, the drive links of the kinematic chain are subject to overloads of various magnitudes. With distance from the place of occurrence of overload, the value of the value of the dynamic moment decreases due to elastic deformations and friction losses in the drive links of the machine. Consequently, there is a breakdown or destruction of parts and components of the drive, and the fuse itself does not work. Thus, in this article, using a calculated mathematical model of the actuation process of safety devices using a computer, calculations were carried out to determine the values of dynamic loads and an assessment was given in the case of installing a fuse at the beginning and at the end of the kinematic chain of the machine drive

Identification of Convicts in Hungarian Prisons

Personal identification is a crucial element of some safety-technology systems. The same applies to facilities brimming with safety devices, in particular, in penalty institutions, prisons. My goal is to present a comprehensive picture of the identification method used in Hungarian prisons. There is no other summarizing document available on identification. My present paper is based on the 12 years of experience that I have gained in the Penalty Enforcement Organisation in the area of information technology since 2007. I have been analyzing and researching the personal identification of convicts based on their biometric characteristics. In 2004, a well-functioning, object-based identification method was established. This article will give an overall picture of the identification system(s) used in Hungarian prisons as well as of my former plans to renew the identification methods of convicts.

Occupational Health Risk among Selected Cement Factory Workers in Dang District of Nepal

Background: The health risks was reported in the cement industry in various study conducted in different settings. This study aimed to assess the occupational health risks among cement factory workers of Dang district of Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 212 workers was conducted in Samrat Cement Company and Sonapur Minerals and Oils of Dang district in between July, 2019 to January 2020 using structured questionnaire. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used for participant selection. The collected information was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed. Results: Of 212 workers, the respiratory and musculoskeletal health risks were reported by 13.2% and 22.2% of factory workers, respectively. About 29.2% were smokers. Two-third (66%) had poor knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety related questions and 17.9% had poor practice to prevent respiratory problems. Smokers (p=0.004) and access to safety measures (p=0.008) were significantly associated with respiratory problems. Educational status (p=0.021), work shift (p=0.022) and first aid availability (p=0.009) were statistically significant with musculoskeletal health risk. Conclusion: Low occupational health risk and low knowledge was reported by cement factory workers. Special protection to workers above 40 years and declaring the cement factory as smoking restricted area could minimize respiratory risk. Access to and condition of safety devices need to be monitored by factory administration. Behavior change communication and safety orientation could help the workers use safety devices. Key words: Occupational health risk, respiratory health risk, musculoskeletal health risk, knowledge, practice, cement factory workers.