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Article
Publication date: 30 May 2008

Salla Lind, Sanna Nenonen and Jouni Kivistö‐Rahnasto

This paper aims to answer the following questions: What conditions must be taken into account in order to manage maintenance‐related risks? and how can the service‐providing…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to answer the following questions: What conditions must be taken into account in order to manage maintenance‐related risks? and how can the service‐providing company assess and manage maintenance‐related risks?

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on analyses concerning: maintenance‐related risks in companies; literature review; and real accident data. The development process was carried out in cooperation with companies providing maintenance services.

Findings

Based on the findings, the method takes into account various risks relating to maintenance operations. The method includes specific parts for safety planning and hazard identification for managing maintenance safety. In addition, it provides a safety check‐list for the worker.

Research limitations/implications

The usability and feasibility of the method should be reassessed and developed. The method could be especially useful in an electronic form.

Practical implications

The method can be utilized for assessing maintenance‐related occupational risks in different working environments. The results from the assessments create the basis for risk management in industrial maintenance.

Originality/value

Owing to certain specific safety challenges, maintenance operations require a specific risk assessment method. However, such a method has not been previously available. The findings and feedback indicate that this kind of a risk assessment tool can be useful in companies.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2018

Y.P. Tsang, K.L. Choy, C.H. Wu, G.T.S. Ho, Cathy H.Y. Lam and P.S. Koo

Since the handling of environmentally sensitive products requires close monitoring under prescribed conditions throughout the supply chain, it is essential to manage specific…

5332

Abstract

Purpose

Since the handling of environmentally sensitive products requires close monitoring under prescribed conditions throughout the supply chain, it is essential to manage specific supply chain risks, i.e. maintaining good environmental conditions, and ensuring occupational safety in the cold environment. The purpose of this paper is to propose an Internet of Things (IoT)-based risk monitoring system (IoTRMS) for controlling product quality and occupational safety risks in cold chains. Real-time product monitoring and risk assessment in personal occupational safety can be then effectively established throughout the entire cold chain.

Design/methodology/approach

In the design of IoTRMS, there are three major components for risk monitoring in cold chains, namely: wireless sensor network; cloud database services; and fuzzy logic approach. The wireless sensor network is deployed to collect ambient environmental conditions automatically, and the collected information is then managed and applied to a product quality degradation model in the cloud database. The fuzzy logic approach is applied in evaluating the cold-associated occupational safety risk of the different cold chain parties considering specific personal health status. To examine the performance of the proposed system, a cold chain service provider is selected for conducting a comparative analysis before and after applying the IoTRMS.

Findings

The real-time environmental monitoring ensures that the products handled within the desired conditions, namely temperature, humidity and lighting intensity so that any violation of the handling requirements is visible among all cold chain parties. In addition, for cold warehouses and rooms in different cold chain facilities, the personal occupational safety risk assessment is established by considering the surrounding environment and the operators’ personal health status. The frequency of occupational safety risks occurring, including cold-related accidents and injuries, can be greatly reduced. In addition, worker satisfaction and operational efficiency are improved. Therefore, it provides a solid foundation for assessing and identifying product quality and occupational safety risks in cold chain activities.

Originality/value

The cold chain is developed for managing environmentally sensitive products in the right conditions. Most studies found that the risks in cold chain are related to the fluctuation of environmental conditions, resulting in poor product quality and negative influences on consumer health. In addition, there is a lack of occupational safety risk consideration for those who work in cold environments. Therefore, this paper proposes IoTRMS to contribute the area of risk monitoring by means of the IoT application and artificial intelligence techniques. The risk assessment and identification can be effectively established, resulting in secure product quality and appropriate occupational safety management.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 118 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1996

Peter Fairbrother

The question of health and safety at work is a central issue for trade unions. In Britain it is an area of concern where there were important legislative initiatives in the 1970s…

2714

Abstract

The question of health and safety at work is a central issue for trade unions. In Britain it is an area of concern where there were important legislative initiatives in the 1970s and 1980s, although surprisingly this has received relatively little attention in the debates about trade unionism. This neglect results in an aspect of union activity about which little is known. Explores through a detailed longitudinal study of a middle‐range engineering firm, from the late 1970s into the 1990s, the ways in which trade unions organize and act on health and safety questions. Argues that it is almost “routine” that workers face dangers and hazards at work, a central feature of the work and employment experience of most workers. However, this is often difficult to deal with as individual issues, or as matters which are subject to collective consideration. On the one hand, workers often appear to accept the dangers and hazards they face. On the other hand, managements are preoccupied with questions relating to production and finance, rather than the day‐to‐day problems faced by workers. This tension suggests that the future wellbeing of workers in unionized workplaces lies not so much with legislative provisions and rights at work, but in education and the organizing ability of workplace unions, raising and addressing what often seem like individualistic problems in collective ways.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

Richard Piggin and David Brandt

Wireless technology continues to evolve for the industrial market; however, there are several issues and challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation…

2149

Abstract

Purpose

Wireless technology continues to evolve for the industrial market; however, there are several issues and challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. This paper discusses the development of wireless technology and standards and those that are currently applicable to industrial applications. Key considerations for successful implementation of industrial wireless Ethernet are presented, along with potential applications.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of wireless applications is given. Wireless technology development is discussed, along with pertinent characteristics. The use standard Ethernet with automation protocols and their use with wireless is examined. Topics to consider when implementing wireless Ethernet in industrial applications are illustrated.

Findings

There are numerous diverse potential application areas for wireless, these include sensing, information, control and safety‐based applications with advantages derived from mobility, cable replacement and tracking opportunities. Each has differing characteristics. Considerations such as information or control use, and the challenges of interference, coverage, compatibility, safety, security and cost need be addressed to ensure a successful implementation. Use of commercial‐off‐the‐shelf (COTS) wireless components with standard unmodified Ethernet and automation protocols is advantageous to maximise the developments taking place in the wider Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) market.

Practical implications

It is important to understand where wireless is appropriate and where it is not. Currently, most applications are information related, however, limited control and safety‐related use is possible today with potential future growth. A fully wireless factory is not feasible yet, since there is still a requirement to provide significant power to many devices. Technology developments in wireless and associated technologies will broaden the scope of wireless utilisation in the future.

Originality/value

The development of wireless technology and standards, in particular, those applicable to industrial applications are reviewed. The factors influencing wireless implementation in industrial environments are presented to assist in successful implementation. The opportunity to use the combination of an automation protocol, unmodified Ethernet and COTS wireless provides potential cost benefits, flexibility, and innovative solutions, whilst providing performance and cost advantages found in the overall WLAN market.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1987

Anita Levinson

Self‐regulation of health and safety within a legal framework was recommended by the Robens Committee Report (1972). Every organisation will be affected by various factors, both…

1081

Abstract

Self‐regulation of health and safety within a legal framework was recommended by the Robens Committee Report (1972). Every organisation will be affected by various factors, both internal and external, which will determine how self‐regulation of health and safety will evolve, and these factors will also influence the effectiveness of joint self‐regulation by management and representatives of the workforce. The effects of some of these internal factors on joint self‐regulation of health and safety in a Scottish local authority are focused on mainly, while, at the same time, some of the external factors are identified.

Details

Employee Relations, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0142-5455

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1982

P.B. Beaumont, J.W. Leopold and J.R. Coyle

The safety officer is a person who has been around in industry for a not inconsiderable period of time, but about whom relatively little is known. Some indication of the…

Abstract

The safety officer is a person who has been around in industry for a not inconsiderable period of time, but about whom relatively little is known. Some indication of the historical nature of the safety officer function can be obtained by an examination of the aims and membership of the Institution of Industrial Safety Officers (now called the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health). This institution, which was formed in 1953, had a membership of some 2,000 at the time of the Robens Committee Report (1970–72) and aimed to raise safety officers' standards of professional competence, to exchange information and to develop accident prevention methods and techniques. Some further historical evidence is provided by a Factory Inspectorate Survey in 1968 which revealed that less than 25 per cent of plants with more than 50 employees had safety officers, with considerable inter‐industry variation being apparent—from less than ten per cent of plants in some industries to over 70 per cent in gas, electricity and water. The vast majority of these safety officers were part time.

Details

Personnel Review, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0048-3486

Book part
Publication date: 1 November 2007

Irina Farquhar and Alan Sorkin

This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative…

Abstract

This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative information technology open architecture design and integrating Radio Frequency Identification Device data technologies and real-time optimization and control mechanisms as the critical technology components of the solution. The innovative information technology, which pursues the focused logistics, will be deployed in 36 months at the estimated cost of $568 million in constant dollars. We estimate that the Systems, Applications, Products (SAP)-based enterprise integration solution that the Army currently pursues will cost another $1.5 billion through the year 2014; however, it is unlikely to deliver the intended technical capabilities.

Details

The Value of Innovation: Impact on Health, Life Quality, Safety, and Regulatory Research
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-551-2

Article
Publication date: 1 May 1992

John Harris

Aims to examine the impact of health and safety legislationemanating from the European Community and to analyse what effect, ifany, it will have on British occupational health and…

1360

Abstract

Aims to examine the impact of health and safety legislation emanating from the European Community and to analyse what effect, if any, it will have on British occupational health and safety law. An examination of the social action programmes shows that the pace of change has increased rapidly since the Single European Act was incorporated into the Treaty of Rome and became operative from July 1987. Because of rapid changes that are occurring on a broad front there was a need to be selective. Emphasizes to some extent, therefore, the construction industry because it would appear that European legislation is likely to have a major impact on British law and practice in this industry.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2019

Jeonghwan Jeon and Yongyoon Suh

Using the large database of patent, the purpose of this paper is to structure a technology convergence network using various patent network analysis for integrating different…

Abstract

Purpose

Using the large database of patent, the purpose of this paper is to structure a technology convergence network using various patent network analysis for integrating different results according to network characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The patent co-class analysis and the patent citation analysis are applied to discover core safety fields and technology, respectively. In specific, three types of network analysis, which are centrality analysis, association rule mining analysis and brokerage network analysis, are applied to measure the individual, synergy and group intensity.

Findings

The core safety fields derived from three types of network analysis used by different nature of data algorithms are compared with each other to understand distinctive meaning of cores of patent class such as medical safety, working safety and vehicle safety, differentiating network structure. Also, to be specific, the authors find the detailed technology contained in the core patent class using patent citation network analysis.

Practical implications

The results provide meaningful implications to various stakeholders in organization: safety management, safety engineering and safety policy. The multiple patent network enables safety manager to identify core safety convergence fields and safety engineers to develop new safety technology. Also, in the view of technology convergence, the strategy of safety policy can be expanded to collaboration and open innovation.

Originality/value

This is the initial study on applying various network analysis algorithms based on patent data (class and citation) for safety management. Through comparison among network analysis techniques, the different results are identified and the collective decision making on finding core of safety technology convergence is supported. The decision maker can obtain the various perspectives of tracing technology convergence.

Details

Data Technologies and Applications, vol. 53 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 June 2012

Gouri Shankar Beriha, Bhaswati Patnaik and Siba Shankar Mahapatra

The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of safety officers on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) norms extended to the workforce in Indian industries, understand…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the perceptions of safety officers on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) norms extended to the workforce in Indian industries, understand implementation levels and find out deficiencies existing therein.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors utilized factor analysis to develop an instrument specifically responsible for assessing OHS norms in three major industrial sectors through a broad‐based questionnaire survey. The pattern of influence of input parameters on outputs such as injury level and material damage is difficult to establish, possibly due to existence of some nonlinear relationship among them. Therefore, a neural network approach is adopted to carry out sensitivity analysis and identify important deficient items.

Findings

Exploratory factor analysis has been carried out on the responses to the designed questionnaire. In total, nine factors with 23 items have been extracted and interpreted. As neural networks are capable of mimicking human cognitive process, the perceptions mechanism of safety officers can be easily modeled via neural networks. Sector‐wise deficient items have been identified and strategies for their improvement have been proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation may be the number of industrial sectors considered in the study. Although the proposed model is quite generic, its performance needs to be tested with other categories of industries.

Practical implications

Although perceptions of safety officers on their immediate work environment help to formulate constructive safety policy and procedures, involvement of a few representatives from the workforce during the implementation level may assist to substantially reduce injury level and material damage, since the workers are more conversant with work practices, are exposed to risk environments and can sustain injuries if accidents occur.

Originality/value

The paper uses advanced statistical and intelligent techniques for assessment of OHS practices. A comparative evaluation of present practices among three major types of Indian industry has been made. Further, the paper proposes an OHS instrument for Indian industry. The paper offers new directions for researchers to devise a comprehensive methodology that aims at reducing occupational health risks.

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Keywords

11 – 20 of over 44000