Towards a Smart World: Hazard Levels for Monitoring of Autonomous Vehicles’ Swarms

This work explores the creation of quantifiable indices to monitor the safe operations and movement of families of autonomous vehicles (AV) in restricted highway-like environments. Specifically, this work will explore the creation of ad-hoc rules for monitoring lateral and longitudinal movement of multiple AVs based on behavior that mimics swarm and flock movement (or particle swarm motion). This exploratory work is sponsored by the Emerging Leader Seed grant program of the Mineta Transportation Institute and aims at investigating feasibility of adaptation of particle swarm motion to control families of autonomous vehicles. Specifically, it explores how particle swarm approaches can be augmented by setting safety thresholds and fail-safe mechanisms to avoid collisions in off-nominal situations. This concept leverages the integration of the notion of hazard and danger levels (i.e., measures of the “closeness” to a given accident scenario, typically used in robotics) with the concept of safety distance and separation/collision avoidance for ground vehicles. A draft of implementation of four hazard level functions indicates that safety thresholds can be set up to autonomously trigger lateral and longitudinal motion control based on three main rules respectively based on speed, heading, and braking distance to steer the vehicle and maintain separation/avoid collisions in families of autonomous vehicles. The concepts here presented can be used to set up a high-level framework for developing artificial intelligence algorithms that can serve as back-up to standard machine learning approaches for control and steering of autonomous vehicles. Although there are no constraints on the concept’s implementation, it is expected that this work would be most relevant for highly-automated Level 4 and Level 5 vehicles, capable of communicating with each other and in the presence of a monitoring ground control center for the operations of the swarm

Assessing the impact of safety climate constructs on worker performance in the mining industry

"Besides establishing current benchmarks of safety climate in the mining industry, these results show the impact that organizational and personal safety climate factors can have on workers' H&S performance. Specifically, this report provides some guidance to mines for improving organizational factors to help enhance the overall culture, regardless of the starting perspectives or points of view of individual miners. It is believed that organizations can start to address a select number of HSMS practices and, over time, scale their systems to include additional indicators." - NIOSHTIC-2NIOSHTIC no. 20059202Suggested CitationNIOSH [2020]. Assessing the impact of safety climate constructs on worker performance in the mining industry. By Haas EJ, Hoebbel CL, Yorio PL. Pittsburgh PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-120, RI 9704. https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020120202010.26616/NIOSHPUB2020120755

United States Coast Guard Aviation Safety Climate Assessment Instrument

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) implemented an aviation safety survey prior to this research (ver. 0). Cooley (2019) uncovered opportunities to improve the survey’s validity, creating a psychometrically-sound safety climate instrument. Inconsistencies with what and how to measure safety climates still exist in the corpus of literature. More attention is needed on safety management systems’ (SMS) predictive metrics, particularly for Coast Guard aviation outfits throughout the world. This research study used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design followed by an additional phase of quantitative research methods. Extensive deliberation with USCG stakeholders produced survey research questions, guiding the survey design (ver. 1). After one survey campaign, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted, resulting in a second version of the safety climate assessment instrument (ver. 2). T-Tests and ANOVAs were performed to determine differences in survey demographics. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted after the second survey campaign to verify the survey validity. A MANOVA test was conducted to examine the effect of survey ver. 2’s demographics (independent variables) on the survey’s constructs (the dependent variables). Survey constructs were then used as independent and dependent variables for regression analyses. Lastly, multiple regressions were conducted with survey constructs and mishap data to address hypotheses that positive survey responses are commensurate with low mishap rates. The EFA results suggested a consolidation from eight to five aviation constructs, as well as consolidating items that were split based on demographic. T-Tests of ver. 1 demographics indicated significant differences between the highest and lowest scoring groups per analyzed demographic. An ANOVA was conducted on the demographic with the most groups, Air Stations (units). Approximately 2/3 of the air stations differed significantly from the others. CFA results suggest that the five-construct model of ver. 2 had better fit indices than consolidating all survey items onto a single construct. Further, ver. 2 could be improved upon by removing survey items, itemized in Chapter 3. From the MANOVA, the survey’s demographics had a significant main effect on the survey’s constructs. For regression analyses, the Just & Reporting Culture (JRC) and Safety Leadership constructs had significant positive effects on the Risk Management (RM) construct. The interaction effect between JRC and Safety Leadership was also significant. Statistical significance varied between the survey and mishap data; RM had significance, with a negative relationship indicating that as RM is scored higher on the survey (per unit and per asset), mishap counts decreased. RM and JRC significantly predicted total mishap counts, human factors-related mishap counts, and Operational Hazard Reports; RM had a positive relationship, while JRC had a negative relationship

Nurses\u27 Use of Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Precautions

Problem: Nurses are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs (HDs) in their practice. HD exposure is associated with adverse outcomes (reproductive problems, learning disabilities in offspring of nurses exposed during pregnancy, and cancer occurrence). Safe handling precautions (safety equipment and personal protective equipment, [PPE]) minimize exposure to HDs and decrease the potential for adverse outcomes. Despite existing OSHA recommendations, adherence to precautions is below recommendations. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among factors affecting nurses’ use of HD safe handling precautions, to identify factors that promote or interfere with HD precaution use, and to determine nurse managers’ perspectives on use of safe handling precautions. This study used a conceptual model which proposes that both individual and organizational factors influence precaution use. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Nurses (N = 165; 46% response rate) from oncology centers across the US who reported handling chemotherapy completed a mailed survey. Instruments measured HD precaution use, knowledge, self efficacy, barriers, perceived risk, conflict of interest, interpersonal influences and workplace safety climate. Hierarchical regression was used. Twenty managers of nurses handling chemotherapy were interviewed. Results: Nurses were experienced in oncology (M = 15.8 ± 7.6) yrs, well-educated (62.5% ≥BSN), certified in oncology nursing (85%), worked in outpatient settings (69%), and on average treated 6.8 ± 5.2 patients per day. Chemotherapy exposure knowledge was high (M = 10.9, ± 1, 0-12 scale); as was self efficacy for using PPE (M = 20.8 ± 3, 7-24 scale), and perceived risk (M = 3.14 ± .6, 0-4 scale). Total precaution use during HD administration and disposal was low (M = 1.9, SD = 1.1, 0= never to 5 = 100%). Nurse characteristics did not predict HD precaution use. In the final model (R2 = .29, F (2, 155) = 24.6, p \u3c .000), fewer patients per day, fewer barriers and better workplace safety climate were independent predictors of higher precaution use. Conclusions: Results emphasize the importance of organizational influence on nurses’ HD safe handling precaution use and suggest fostering a positive workplace safety climate and reducing barriers as interventions

Korean bank regulation and supervision: crisis and reform (a critical evaluation with recommendations).

PhDThis thesis presents a critical analysis and evaluation of the current Korean banking regulatory and supervisory system. The objective is to identif' continuing structural weaknesses of the Korean banking system and to suggest areas of regulatory and supervisory system reform. The focus of this analysis and evaluation is centred around the following three questions: (1) Who should be the regulator? (2) What substantive standards of supervision should be applied? and (3) Administratively, in what manner should these standarus be applied? Finally, the causes, responses, and implications for reform as to the recent Korean financial crisis are discussed. The Korean banking system has been characterised as a "governmental control system" for credit allocation. This system, with lax prudential regulation and supervision, creates inevitable problems for the banks. For example, Korean banks have been largely precluded from true market and commercially oriented practices and have been exposed to significant credit and other risks due to governmental policy directed lending and other non-commercially induced banking practices. The main theme of this thesis is that Korea's reformed and restructured regulatory and supervisory system should be structurally removed from undue governmental and political interference; that is, should be sufficiently divorced and protected from governmental economic policy objectives and, more generally, from objectives that are inconsistent with "safety and soundness" based banking regulatory and supervisory objectives and with market oriented practices. Balancing this structural independence and market orientation, a reformed and restructured system should provide a high degree of transparency and accountability. Reform should aim not only at establishing effective supervisory standards, but also at ensuring effective monitoring and enforcement. A first step to the reform is for the government to define and adhere to a primary policy objective of banking policy, i.e. "financial stability" through sound and effective Korean banking regulation and supervision. To achieve such financial stability, Korea will need to implement appropriate measures that can ensure that the banking system is "safe and sound", consistently with evolving international standards; that banks are free from undue governmental and political interference and control; and that the banking system operates within a competitive and commercially driven market environment. The financial crisis in 1997 has demonstrated many of the current weaknesses of the Korean financial system. The need for certainty of process, for a clear, realistic and transparent timetable for restructuring, and for an effective exit policy for troubled commercial banks, are some of the lessons to be learned from this crisis

Social impacts of climate change and occupational heat stress and adaptation strategies of mining workers in Ghana

Excessive heat exposure due to rising temperatures associated with climate change adversely affects workers’ health, safety, productivity, and psychosocial well-being in occupational settings. In the hot and tropical regions of developing countries, long hours of physically demanding work, coupled with inadequate adaptation policies to climate change, increases the occurrence of heat-related illnesses and injuries, and contributes to the loss of productive capacity, poor decision making, and other negative effects on the social well-being of workers. Based on the theories of social impact assessment, risk assessment, adaptation and resilience planning, this study assesses the social impacts of climate change and occupational heat stress and adaptation strategies of mining workers in Ghana, and thus fills a significant gap in the existing literature. Guided by the pragmatists’ research philosophical paradigm, this study adopted the convergent mixed methods approach by utilising data obtained from four temperature and humidity data loggers, 346 surveys of mining workers, two focus groups and three in-depth interviews. The quantitative data was processed with Microsoft Excel 2016, XLSTAT 2019, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25 while the qualitative data was processed utilising NVivo version 11 and thematically analysed. The findings suggest that the use of convergent mixed methods showed adequate corroboration and complementarity between the qualitative and quantitative data and helped to obtain credible data relevant for policy decisions on heat stress management, workplace health and safety, and adaptation strategies. Supervisors’ climate change risks perception was adequate, workplace heat exposure risks concerns were moderate and their views of workers’ heat stress experiences were heat-related illness and minor injuries. The differences in supervisors’ climate change risk perceptions and occupational heat stress risk experiences across job experience and adaptation strategies across educational status were significant (p\u3c0.05). Workers’ concerns about climate change effects and workplace heat exposure risks; heat-related morbidities experienced by workers; and their use of heat stress prevention measures significantly differed between Small-Scale Mining (SSM) and Large-Scale Mining (LSM) (p\u3c0.001). The disparity in heat exposure risk factors across workers’ gender, education level, workload, work hours, physical work exertion, and proximity to heat sources was significant (p\u3c0.05). Thermal assessments demonstrated that workers were exposed to high ambient heat conditions that raise their heat stress risk. Workers’ adaptation strategies, social protection measures, and barriers to adaptation strategies differed significantly across the type of mining activity (p\u3c0.001). Based on the seven publications related to the social impacts of climate change and occupational heat stress and adaptation strategies of mining workers, this study recommends that there needs to be a concerted global effort at providing adequate and effective heat exposure and adaptation policies to promote workers’ health and safety, productive capacity and psychosocial well-being; to reduce their vulnerability to heat stress, improve their adaptive capacity and resilience; and enlighten policy decisions and enforcement in the mining industry

ExxonMobil Corporate Citizenship Report 2013

This report details ExxonMobil's systematic approact to managing global operations, and the measures employed to successfully operate in a variety of environments. It includes a letter from the CEO, case studies, charts and data, external assessments, and stakeholder and engagement information

Exploration of safety climate in Nigeria: a study of organizations in Onne oil and gas free zone

Background: In Nigeria, issues of occupational safety and health (OSH) practice are still in early infancy and hence, apparently poor OSH behaviours are common coupled with an underlying varying safety climate. Work-related accidents and death rate in Nigeria are reported to be among the highest in the world, with Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone (OGFZ)hosting most of the organizations with high-risk operations. This critical safety climate is affected by a range of internal and external factors. This study seeks to understand the nature of the safety climate, within the Nigerian context, through an exploration of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, which is the largest conglomerate of multinational companies in Nigeria and a host to 170 oil and gas companies together with construction companies. The nature of work within this site is recognised as being high-risk and therefore the underlying safety climate has increased criticality. More so, there is no known safety climate study on the organisations, thus the study would help close the gap of limited or lack of data on workplace safety, and guide safety policy decisions which are needful and vital for building a good safety climate profile for organizations in the OGFZ, and other organisations in Nigeria. Aim: The study aimed to identify internal and external factors that influence the safety climate and in so doing explore the overarching climate of the OGFZ. Methods: Organizations were selected from the 170 companies operating within the OGFZ based on past and current health, safety and environment(HSE) performance data; and were divided into 2 distinct groups of peak and low performing companies. The companies were identified using the OGFZ annual safety assessment reports. A qualitative methodology was employed involving focus group discussion and in-depth interview techniques with employees drawn from twelve (12) companies comprising six (6) good and six (6) poor safety performers. The qualitative data for the study, mainly data from focus group and interviews, were analysed using thematic analysis procedures. The thematic analysis involves identification of key concepts or themes, grouping or categorization of similar concepts or comments, and coding of identified themes or concepts. Data were analysed using NVivo software, which enabled coding of texts and identification of themes in the data from participants’ responses. Results of the thematic analysis are presented in tables and appendices showing identified themes and participant responses from which the themes emanate. Results/Findings: The study found that compliance to safety rules and procedures, employee (personal) commitment and competence are among the factors that keep employees safety at work. Major causes of workplace safety risks and injuries were found to include employee-specific factors such as poor communication of safety information among workers and negligence; management-specific factor such as poor staff training, poor supervision, and provision of inadequate safety equipment and work materials; job-specific factors such as unsafe mechanical and physical conditions and equipment failure; natural factors such as unfavourable weather or climatic conditions. The findings indicate major internal factors that characterize workplace risks and injury within an organization; such as ineffective safety management in the study area, particularly, poor management commitment to safety standards, especially when involving organization’s finances or other resources; and identify negligence or conscious violation of safety standards by organizations’ management, employee attitude to safety directives and equipment failure. With highlight on cultural issues, poor motivation or incentives, job insecurity and employee attitude as one of the critical factors that directly influence organizational safety climate and safety performance; the study also identified various factors that influence employee attitude to include: management factor, employee decisions, welfare, experience, belief system, family concerns and health condition of employees. The findings also show that client pressure, economic situation, government policies, insecurity, community influence and family issues are among the most prominent external factors influencing safety climate in the organizations under study. The organizational characteristics affecting safety climate in the study area include management commitment, finance, supervision, disciplinary measures and incentives. However, factors identified as part of the measures taken by organizations to keep people safe at work included training, safety management systems and standard operational procedures and communication as well as motivation, supervision, monitoring, incentives for work performance and policy enforcement. Conclusion: This study has identified that safety issues in the OGFZ, and by extension, Nigerian organizations, are influenced by local “Nigerian Factors”, especially culture and belief system, as well as various internal and external factors that shape the behavioral pattern of their workers. The possible ways to improve the existing safety climate in the OGFZ are thus suggested to include broadly improved management commitment towards safety; employees proper management of stress factors and adherence to laid down safety policies, regulations and procedures; government improved oversight function of ensuring compliance with standard safety regulations by organizations; and non-interference of host communities with organization’s safety climate