Co-operation in Health and Safety: A Game Theory Analysis

[Excerpt] “Health and safety managers face complex challenges in today’s production environments. They are confronted with increasingly flexible, autonomous and polyvalent contexts. Asymmetry of information on the workplace is widespread because various intervening parties rely on information lacking conformity. Social partners generate and use information which supports or benefits their pursuit of differing goals. Ascertaining and controlling this information can prove both difficult and costly. When addressing health and safety issues, one intervening partner alters or changes behavior in response to changes introduced by the other side. Strategic behaviors result, based on post-contract opportunism (moral hazard) and alliances with partners who can reasonably be expected to deliver predictable and effective contributions toward individual goals (adverse selection). These behaviors arise out of diagnostic problems, difficulty in determining acceptable risk, asymmetries in the information used in risk taking decisions on the part of social partners and the operation of health and safety systems. . . . Inevitably, effective and efficient management of health and safety must spring from an understanding of the dynamics governing the intervening parties. This paper makes use of non-cooperative game theory to identify conditions fostering cooperation between managers and workers as social partners in the workplace.

Outil d'analyse multifactorielle pour la prévention des lésions au dos

Sélection, formation et entraînement du personnel -- Approche épidémiologique -- Approche physiologique -- Approche psychophysique -- Approche biomécanique -- Norme française -- Equation N'I.O.S.H (version révisée) -- Norme australienne -- Projet de norme O.S.H.A. -- Modèles muticritères -- Ergonomie participative -- Systèmes de classification -- Thèse de l'accumulation des micro-traumas -- Causalité des lésions au dos -- Mécanismes lésionnels -- Mécanismes générateurs d'efforts -- Identification des causes antérieures -- Fatigue générale et fatigue musculaire -- Comportements stratégiques dans la gestion des risque de lésions au dos -- Travail autonome et polyvalent -- Sources de comportements stratégiques -- Comportement du management en santé-sécurité au travail -- Comportement des travailleurs en santé-sécurité au travail -- Interactions entre les comportements du management et des travailleurs -- Gestion partenariale des risques -- Approche partenariale -- Partage appropriation et ojectivation de l'information sur les facteurs de risques -- Avenues pour le prolongement de l'approche pour la priorisation

Determinants of sit-to-stand tasks in individuals with hemiparesis post stroke: A review

AbstractBackground and purposeThe ability to rise from a chair to reach a standing position is impaired after stroke. This paper aims to review for the first time the factors that impact the ability to rise from a chair and identify recommendations for post-stroke rehabilitation.MethodsIn order to analyse relevant scientific publications (French and English), the search terms “stroke”, “rehabilitation” and “sit-to-stand” (STS and its variations) were used. The initial literature search identified 122 titles and abstracts for full review and 46 were retained because both the junior and senior researchers agreed that they were aligned with the objectives of this review.Results and conclusionDuring STS, most individuals with hemiparesis able to stand independently presented several changes such as lateral deviation of the trunk towards the unaffected side (ipsilesional side), asymmetrical weight bearing (WB) and asymmetry of knee moment forces. Interestingly, the WB asymmetry was observed even before seat-off, when subjects with hemiparesis still had their thighs in contact with the chair suggesting a planned strategy. Among other interesting results, the time to execute the STS was longer than in controls and influenced by the sensorimotor deficits. A greater risk of falling was observed with a need for more time to stabilize the body during STS and especially during the extension phase. Some rehabilitation interventions may be effective in improving STS duration, WB symmetry and the ability to stand independently with repeated practice (mentally or physically) of STS tasks. However, more research is essential to further investigate effects of specific training protocols and pursue better understanding of this complex and demanding task, particularly for stroke patients who need assistance during this transfer

More symmetrical gait after split-belt treadmill walking does not modify dynamic and postural balance in individuals post-stroke

Spontaneous gait is often asymmetrical in individuals post-stroke, despite their ability to walk more symmetrically on demand. Given the sensorimotor deficits in the paretic limb, this asymmetrical gait may facilitate balance maintenance. We used a split-belt walking protocol to alter gait asymmetry and determine the effects on dynamic and postural balance. Twenty individuals post-stroke walked on a split-belt treadmill. In two separate periods, the effect of walking with the non-paretic, and then the paretic leg, on the faster belt on spatio-temporal symmetry and balance were compared before and after these perturbation periods. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using a motion analysis system and an instrumented treadmill to determine symmetry ratios of spatiotemporal parameters and dynamic and postural balance. Balance, quantified by the concepts of stabilizing and destabilizing forces, was compared before and after split-belt walking for subgroups of participants who improved and worsened their symmetry. The side on the slow belt during split-belt walking, but not the changes in asymmetry, affected balance. Difficulty in maintaining balance was higher during stance phase of the leg that was on the slow belt and lower on the contralateral side after split-belt walking, mostly because the center of pressure was closer (higher difficulty) or further (lower difficulty) from the limit of the base of support, respectively. Changes in spatiotemporal parameters may be sought without additional alteration of balance during gait post-stroke

Effect of pelvic stabilization and hip position on trunk extensor activity during back extension exercises on a roman chair

Objective: To assess the effect of pelvic stabilization and hip position on the electromyographic activity of trunk extensors during Roman chair exercise. A secondary objective was to compare genders. Design: Repeated measures. Subjects: Eleven men and 11 women volunteers. Methods: Five trunk flexion-extension cycles for 3 Roman chair conditions: (i) pelvis unrestrained; (ii) pelvis restrained; and (iii) hip at 40° flexion. Electromyographic signals were recorded on the back muscles, as well as on the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris. The percentage of electro¬myographic amplitude relative to the maximal activity was used to assess the level of muscular activation of each muscle group across the exercises. Results: For both genders, the Roman chair conditions did not influence the activity of the back and gluteus muscles. The hip-at-40°-flexion condition significantly reduced the activity of the biceps femoris (average of 4–18%) relative to the other 2 conditions. Gender differences were observed on the activity of the biceps femoris in all Roman chair conditions. Conclusion: The hip-at-40°-flexion condition would allow the Roman chair exercise to train the targeted back muscles more specifically by overloading them over a longer duration in order to induce physiological changes

Occupational health and safety risks: Towards the integration into project management

a b s t r a c t Project management in industrial settings in many cases is deficient with respect to integrating OHS risks. This deficiency manifests itself as problems affecting the safety of industrial practices and is explained generally by poor knowledge of OHS within organizations and project teams. We present, through this paper, a critical review and provide an overview of research and industrial practices aimed at systematic integration of OHS risks into the execution of projects, based on published scientific literature. We thus introduce some of the tools, methods and approaches being developed or adapted to integrate OHS and a general description of the current status of this integration in various fields. Our focus includes, in fact, laws, management systems, OHS risk management throughout project life cycle and efforts to integrate OHS risk management to industrial safety practices including approaches using historical data and industrial interventions. We conclude that publications identified are mainly derived from the construction industry and we stress that the objectives, methodologies and results are largely heterogeneous. The integration of OHS risk is not systematic in all industrial fields despite the changing and improving laws and management systems. In order to complete the overview of OHS integration, we will suggest future reviews and research that specifically investigates other innovative OHS applications and many analyses of recent industrial accidents. Complete synopsis will give opportunities for researchers to use or improve methods and approaches to promote OHS risk management in the manufacturing sector that suffer from lack of knowledge in this area

Classification and Quantification of Human Error in Manufacturing: A Case Study in Complex Manual Assembly

Manual assembly operations are sensitive to human errors that can diminish the quality of final products. The paper shows an application of human reliability analysis in a realistic manufacturing context to identify where and why manual assembly errors occur. The techniques SHERPA and HEART were used to perform the analysis of human reliability. Three critical tasks were selected for analysis based on quality records: (1) installation of three types of brackets using fasteners, (2) fixation of a data cable to the assembly structure using cushioned loop clamps and (3) installation of cap covers to protect inlets. The identified error modes with SHERPA were: 36 action errors, nine selection errors, eight information retrieval errors and six checking errors. According to HEART, the highest human error probabilities were associated with assembly parts sensitive to geometry-related errors (brackets and cushioned loop clamps). The study showed that perceptually engaging assembly instructions seem to offer the highest potential for error reduction and performance improvement. Other identified areas of action were the improvement of the inspection process and workers’ provision with better tracking and better feedback. Implementation of assembly guidance systems could potentially benefit worker’s performance and decrease assembly errors

MODELING THE INTEGRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS WITH OPERATIONAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH AUTONOMOUS AND MULTI-SKILLED WORK PERFORMED IN UNCERTAIN ENVIRONMENTS

ABSTRACT Sharing information poses a significant challenge in attempting to integrate and manage occupational health and safety in response to operational risks where autonomous and multiskilled work is performed in uncertain environments. Managers and workers stand to benefit from a model developed as a prototype for an information system that is based on data flow technique, skills characteristic of autonomous and multi-skilled workers, and which rests on systemic analysis of the technological sub-system prevalent within a firm. Our knowledge of econometrics leads us to endorse training and exchanges aimed at promoting awareness of risks and upgrading job know-how among workers. Once the regulated risks and the risks unanimously recognized by health and safety experts have been controlled, we offer here a guide in reaching a preliminary decision that integrates parameters commonly associated with commercial efficiency and diligence in the pursuit of workplace health and safety. Lastly, findings have been validated through a case study carried out among firms engaged in the moving industry. RÉSUMÉ L'intégration de la santé et de la sécurité du travail aux risques opérationnels dans le travail autonome et polyvalent en environnements incertains comporte un défi important en ce qui concerne le partage de l'information sur les risques et la gestion de ces risques en incertitude. Pour soutenir les gestionnaires et les travailleurs, un modèle prototype de système d'information a été conçu à partir de la technique des flux de données, les connaissances caractérisant les travailleurs autonomes et polyvalents en environnements incertains, les comportements stratégiques des acteurs principaux et repose sur l'analyse systémique du sous-système technologique d'une entreprise. Ensuite, à partir de connaissances en économétrie, il a été recommandé de favoriser la formation et l'échange sur les risques et les savoirs de métiers des travailleurs. Une aide à la décision préliminaire, intégrant les paramètres prépondérants d'efficacité commerciale et de diligence en santé et en sécurité du travail, a été proposée. Finalement, une validation par l'étude du cas de l'industrie des transporteurs neufs et usagés a été faite

Activity monitor placed at the non-paretic ankle is accurate in measuring step counts during community walking in post-stroke individuals : a validation study

Background: Different environmental factors may affect the accuracy of step-count activity monitors (AM). However, the validationconditions for AM accuracy largely differ from ecological environments.Objectives: To assess and compare the accuracy of AM in counting steps among poststroke individuals: during different locomotortasks, with AM placed at the nonparetic ankle or hip, and when walking in a laboratory or inside a mall.Design: Validation study.Settings: Laboratory and community settings.Participants: Twenty persons with chronic hemiparesis, independent walkers.Methods: First session: participants performed level walking (6-minute walk test [6MWT]), ramps, and stairs in the laboratory withAM placed at the nonparetic ankle and hip. Second session: participants walked a mall circuit, including the three tasks, with AMplaced at the nonparetic ankle. The sessions were video recorded.Main Outcome Measurements: Absolute difference between the steps counted by AM and the steps viewed on the video recordings(errors, %); occurrence of errors greater than 10%.Results: Median errors were similar for the 6MWT (0.86 [0.22, 7.70]%), ramps (2.17 [0.89, 9.61]%), and stairs (8.33 [2.65, 19.22]%)with AM at the ankle. Step-count error was lower when AM was placed at the ankle (8.33 [ 2.65, 19.22]%) than at the hip (9.26[3.25, 42.63]%, P = .03). The greatest errors were observed among the slowest participants (≤0.4 m/s) on ramps and stairs, whereassome faster participants (>1 m/s) experienced the greatest error during the 6MWT. Median error was slightly increased in the mallcircuit (2.67 [0.61, 12.54]%) compared with the 6MWT (0.50 [0.24, 6.79]%, P = .04), with more participants showing errors >10% dur-ing the circuit (7 vs 2, P = .05).Conclusions: Step counts are accurately measured with AM placed at the nonparetic ankle in laboratory and community settings.Accuracy can be altered by stairs and ramps among the slowest walkers and by prolonged walking tasks among faster walkers.Level of Evidence: III