Hispanic and Latino foreign-born construction workers in the United States experience higher rates of serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace than their native-born peers. Previous research has pointed to specific vulnerabilities among this population, including birthplace, age of the worker, language barriers, and education level, but little to no research has examined addressable risk factors, such as occupational risk perceptions, among this population. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the relationship between birthplace, number of years working in the United States, and occupational risk perceptions while controlling for age of the worker, language barriers, and education level. A modified conceptual model that links specific demographic factors to occupational risk perceptions served as the framework for the study. A convenience sample of construction workers in central Florida provided demographic information and self-reported risk perceptions in this cross-sectional study. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine potential relationships between birthplace and risk perceptions as well as number of years working in the United States and risk perceptions. The results of these analyses indicated a statistically significant difference in risk perceptions between foreign-born and native-born construction workers, but time spent working in the United States did not affect these risk perceptions. The implications for positive social change include the identification of risk factors that are addressable through improved training and better communication. Addressing these factors may help reduce injuries and fatalities among Hispanic and Latino foreign-born construction workers in central Florida.
To view Matt’s poster, click here.
Environmental health and safety (EHS) is a globally interconnected discipline. The health of benthic species, for example, can ultimately affect human health through bioaccumulation and biomagnification of contaminants up the food chain. Characterizing the toxicological effects of anthropogenic pollution on ecological receptors helps EHS specialists develop plans for remediating contaminated sites and helps inform industrial policy regulation, providing a cleaner and safer environment for future generations.
To view Leah’s poster, click here.
The aim of this project is to investigate the photocatalytic activity of ZnO/TiO2 composite films for the gas-phase oxidation of ethanol. Pure TiO2, pure ZnO, and their composites were formulated using a sol-gel synthesis method, and the resulting powders were cast and dried as thin films in a flat plate ultraviolet light-emitting- diode (UV LED reactor). P25 TiO2 and commercially-available ZnO were also used for comparison. Structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the materials were characterized. The photocatalytic oxidation of ethanol vapors in air after 24 hours of reactor operation was used to assess the relative photocatalytic activity of the ZnO/TiO2 composite films. Our results show that as ZnO composition in the photocatalytic film increases, the apparent photocatalytic activity decreases, and pure ZnO (both sol-gel and purchased) had the least photocatalytic activity for vapor-phase ethanol oxidation in our test apparatus. ZnO-containing photocatalysts have lower surface areas than those of TiO2-based photocatalysts. For gas-phase photocatalysis, surface area was shown to be a critical feature for photocatalytic activity.
To see Ibrahim’s poster, click here.
More than 90,000 technicians are currently employed in the automotive maintenance and repair industry in the United States. Working in automotive shops may expose workers to multiple occupational risks, including noise, vibration, dust, fuel, and exhaust emissions. Air and battery-operated tools are widely used in daily activities. Such instruments generate sound pressure levels above 90 dBA and are known to transmit HAV. In addition, employees are exposed to aerosols from tires, suspension and brake systems, as well as gas and vapor emissions. This study focused on evaluation of exposures to noise, vibration, and total dust in automotive shops.
To view Damyan’s poster, click here.
Like many occupations in the informal economy, the safety and health concerns and challenges among taxi operators are often under-researched. This study sheds light on the hazardous conditions in the taxi industry and provides information that can assist taxi operators and government agencies in implementing appropriate safety measures. Regardless of occupation, every worker should have access to a healthy and safe environment and receive fair treatment and protection.
To view Christian’s poster, click here.
Patients and health professionals interact frequently and at times urgently with the hospital bed. My research evaluates the usefulness and usability of hospital beds for critical care, medical surgery, and birthing beds. Additionally, my research examines desirable characteristics as well as the ergonomic effectiveness of hospital bed design. Hospital beds are built intending to provide safety, comfort, and mobility for a wide range of patients with various diseases and treatment schedules. It is essential to understand how the design of hospital beds affects patient outcomes and healthcare provider performance using ergonomics and human factors research. Hospital beds are an essential component of the healthcare environment.
To view Chiemezie’s poster, click here.
Welding, soldering, and brazing workers are a critical part of the US workforce, with over 574, 000 employees in 2020. Unfortunately, these workers are frequently exposed to welding fumes that contain metallic particles such as chromium, copper, manganese, iron, and nickel, which can lead to serious adverse health effects such as lung disease, Parkinson-like symptoms, and metal fume fever. However, the dose-response of different metals in a chronic exposure setting is not fully understood. Therefore, the development of a biomarker to assess chronic exposure is critical for assessing potential health risks. This study aims to investigate the use of toenail metal concentrations as biomarkers for chronic exposure to metals.
To view Chang’s poster, click here.
Several emerging technologies are impacting the supply chain. World Economic Forum’s top 10 emerging technologies include Digital Twin, Additive Manufacturing, Robotics, AI, and the Internet of Things. These technologies create both an opportunity to reduce risk and potentially create unanticipated hazards. This session is focused on emerging hazards from Additive Manufacturing and solutions that both manufacturers and users should consider to mitigate occupational safety and health risks. The goal is to enable risk recognition and strengthen risk management of EHS practitioners, thereby creating value for the practitioner and their organizations.
Join us for the fourth webinar in Grainger’s Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs) webinar series. Paul Zoubek with Zoubek Consulting, LLC and Jason Weatherford with Grainger will be sharing electrical safety insights focused on preventing and mitigating serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs).
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) there were 166 electrical fatalities in 2019, which was a 3.75% increase over 2018 and the highest number of electrical fatalities since 2011. There were also 1,900 nonfatal electrical injuries involving days away from work. This was a 22% increase over 2018. The median number of days away from work for nonfatal electrical injuries was 9 in 2019, a 125% increase over 2018.
Every organization has unique working on or near live electricity needs and circumstances / options that must be evaluated so that proper controls can be put in place to eliminate or reduce the potential for serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs).
At the conclusion of this Webinar, you will have a better understanding of:
- Relationship between OSHA’s electrical standards and NFPA 70E
- Evolution of NFPA 70E
- Common working on or near live circuit tasks
- Causes of arc flash / blast incidents
- Critical controls that are needed to reduce serious injury and fatality potential
- Grainger’s solution to help keep your people safe
Welcome to our third webinar in a series related to Serious Injuries & Fatalities (SIFs).
In this webinar, we will hear from David (Mac) McCollum CSP, Grainger Safety Specialist and Thomas Kramer, PE, CSP, Managing principal for LJB Inc. on working at elevated heights and how the potential for serious injuries and fatalities is a major concern. Every organization has unique working at elevated heights risks, circumstances, and options that must be evaluated so that proper controls can be put in place to reduce the potential for serious injuries and fatalities.
At the conclusion of this Webinar, you will have a better understanding of:
- Governing fall protection standards and consensus standards
- Personal fall protection system equipment limitations
- The importance of a risk assessment
- Critical controls that are needed to reduce serious injury and fatality potential
- Grainger’s Working at Elevated Heights solution
Credential Holders
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