Estrategias nacionales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo

Estudio realizado por encargo del Instituto Vasco de Seguridad y Salud LaboralesPreprin

La perspectiva de género en la prevención de riesgos laborales

Estudio realizado para el Instituto Vasco de Seguridad y Salud Laborales (OSALAN).Preprin

Corporate motivation to risk prevention: applied exploratory analysis in construction sector in Catalonia

In this article, we have undertaken an exploratory analysis of the extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting an employer’s safety motivation in the construction industry, and their correlation with firm size, management level, and perceived risk. We have employed a model based on previous research by Michael Wright for the Health and Safety Executive (UK). Methods: A sample of managers from 198 construction firms in Catalonia (Spain) were interviewed collecting relevant data. The exploratory factor analysis of this data detected two factors: extrinsic (prosecution, inspection, external pressure) and intrinsic (legal, responsibility, internal involvement). Confirmatory factor analysis did not rule out the presence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors (Wright), and the analysis with covariates (MIMIC model) showed significant positive relationships between extrinsic factors, management level, and perceived risk. It also showed a significant positive relationship between intrinsic factors and firm size. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to make a preliminary diagnostic of an employer’s safety motivation. Our findings indicate that it is possible to develop external motivators (advice from inspection bodies, union activities, publicity of prosecution records, etc.) that are addressed to top managers and to firms more exposed to risk.We have also found that it is possible to develop internal motivators by introducing experience modification ratings, social accounting, advertising in the mass media, and promotion campaigns, particularly among bigger firms. Our findings will be useful to government agencies, company managers, and consultants and may be adapted for use in motivating midlevel staff to adopt participatory intervention programs.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Ergonomics as basis for a decision support system in the printing industry

The newspapers must be printed each night in a very short time, in order to deliver them next morning. A printing plant must perfectly design the production, in which some manual operations as the supplement insertion are critical. The main concerns about this manufacturing step are to determine ergonomically the maximum capacity to setup and feed the line by the workers and improve the knowledge on the input conditions of each supplement. A decision support system to determine the number of hired workers needed for the manual insertion (setup and feeding) was developed for a printing plant. It takes into account the supplement characteristics, ergonomic issues and the production rates. A linear program has been defined and some variants have been studied. The new system led to a 13% increase in productivity, a reduction in cost overruns and an important reduction in labor costs. The system may be used for a short-term staff planningPeer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Los problemas de lápiz y papel en la formación de profesores

In this article a didactic approach for both initial and ongoing teacher training is presented, oriented towards the teaching and learning of paper and pencil problem-solving. Taking as a starting point teachers' ideas of the educational possibilities of the problems which are generally used in Science classes (objectives reached and specific procedures which they develop), it then goes on to analyse and evaluate concrete traditional and innovative problem-solving models. This study will also look at commentaries and results regarding the development of these activities from both in-service and trainee teachers. It is shown that these teachers initially accept the educational interest of such problems, and they consider the innovative model to be the most useful because, apart from motivating the students, it also develops research procedures which the traditional problems ignore, and which are fundamental in scientific training

Using ergonomics digital human modeling in evaluation of workplaces design and prevention of occupational hazards onboard fishing vessel

This paper seeks to present methods for improving the occupational health and safety of Spanish fishermen, and for redesigning the workplace onboard small fishing vessels. To achieve its objective, the research project was designed in four steps: First, the equipment and procedures for catching, handling, and storing fish was studied. Second, the work postures of all the fishermen were simulated and assessed by using an ergonomic digital human modeling system (ManneQuin Pro). Third, the work environment design on board vessels was modified on the basis of acceptable simulated work postures to prevent repetitive movements and lower back biomechanical stresses. In the fourth and final step, ergonomic design parameters were provided to vessel designers.Postprint (published version

Using ergonomics digital human modeling in evaluation of workplaces design and prevention of occupational hazards onboard fishing vessel

This paper seeks to present methods for improving the occupational health and safety of Spanish fishermen, and for redesigning the workplace onboard small fishing vessels. To achieve its objective, the research project was designed in four steps: First, the equipment and procedures for catching, handling, and storing fish was studied. Second, the work postures of all the fishermen were simulated and assessed by using an ergonomic digital human modeling system (ManneQuin Pro). Third, the work environment design on board vessels was modified on the basis of acceptable simulated work postures to prevent repetitive movements and lower back biomechanical stresses. In the fourth and final step, ergonomic design parameters were provided to vessel designers.Postprint (published version

Using ergonomics Digital Human Modeling in Evaluation of workplace Design and Prevention of work related musculoeskeletal disorders aboard small fishing vessels r

This article seeks to presentmethods for preventing work-relatedmusculoskeletal disorders of Spanish fishermen and for redesigning the workplace aboard small fishing vessels. To achieve its objective, the research project was designed in four steps. First, the equipment and procedures for catching, handling, and storing fish were studied. Second, the work postures of all the fishermen were simulated and assessed by using an ergonomic digital human modeling system (ManneQuin Pro). Third, the work environment design aboard vessels was modified on the basis of acceptable simulated work postures to prevent repetitive movements, awkward working postures, and lower back biomechanical stresses. In the fourth step, ergonomic design parameters were provided to vessel designers.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version