Seppo Väyrynen

Some links between accidents, postural load and accessibility in chemical plant maintenance

The maintenance tasks of two chemical plants were investigated in this pilot study, special attention being given to occupational accidents, postural load and the link between postures and the occurrence of accidents. It was found that the accident rate was higher in maintenance work than in operational tasks. The proportion of strenuous postures, classified by the observational OWAS method, was generally high in daily maintenance (40%), and was even higher in accident situations (55%), according to the victims interviewed. The employees also reported a high prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders, particularly in the neck, shoulders and low back. When the work postures of the daily maintenance and accident situations were compared, statistically significant differences were found in the position of the back and in the use of force. The low location of the maintenance points and the excessive use of force were found to be among the problems often giving rise to accident situations. Since accessibility factors are one of the important predictors behind the postural load, the prevention of both strenuous postures and occupational accidents in maintenance requires attention to be paid, among other things, to design improvements for providing better accessibility to maintenance points in both machinery and plant lay-out.

Participatory video-assisted evaluation of truck drivers' work outside cab: deliveries in two types of transport.

The aim of this study was to identify risks and ergonomics discomfort during work of local and short haul delivery truck drivers outside a cab. The study used a video- and computer-based method (VIDAR). VIDAR is a participatory method identifying demanding work situations and their potential risks. The drivers’ work was videoed and analysed by subjects and ergonomists. Delivery truck drivers should not be perceived as one group with equal risks because there were significant differences between the 2 types of transportation and specific types of risks. VIDAR produces visual material for risk management processes. VIDAR as a participatory approach stimulates active discussion about work-related risks and discomfort, and about possibilities for improvement. VIDAR may be also applied to work which comprises different working environments.

Review of Regional Workplace Development Cases: A Holistic Approach and Proposals for Evaluation and Management

The labour-intensive manufacturing industry faces many working-life challenges in the rural, sparsely populated northern areas of Finland at both operational and strategic levels. These challenges vary, being in interaction with both technical and social systems and their combinations. In this paper, the authors review and evaluate needs, actions and results carried out to improve work and productivity in three regional industrial development cases. The actions discussed in this paper, such as work environment management, change management in general and the sociotechnical approach, are essential for the success of enterprises. Using the results of this research as a basis for developing design knowledge, two guidelines for strategic management purposes are proposed. These guidelines implement sociotechnical aspects into the work environment and its management, and recognise that it is important to focus on human and organisational factors in addition to technical end environmental aspects. A proposal for a specific, unique self-assessment tool for evaluating the level of the quality of the work environment in SMEs is also suggested.

Participative design science approach on the optimum work system: an argumentative review-based model with a case

Since the late 1960s, there has been an idea to separate explanatory and design sciences, and practical research within explanatory paradigm has been based to finding out what is part of reality. This article aims to build and trial an innovative procedure for improving work system in the small- and medium-sized enterprises. This article discusses three key issues according to design science approach: the views of applying evaluation methods in prescriptive-driven research; the concept of making a multi-criteria objectives model for evaluation and the execution of the model. This article concludes by offering an outline of a framework for innovative approach to the method-assisted research in a supporting work system. A case showed that human work comprised mainly organisational issues (45%) followed by cognitive (41%) and physical (15%) ones. Within each category, the most important sub-issues were data management (18%), own skills (17%) and working postures (9%).

The protection of loggers' heads and eyes in forestry work

The helmet used in forestry today is the same as the helmet in industrial use. The eye protector, which is usually a face shield made from wire mesh, is fastened to the helmet. The aim of this study is to clarify the frequency of use of, the protection afforded by, and the need for improvement in the helmet and eye protector. These things were investigated by a questionnaire, an interview, observations, accident and near-accident reports, and user and laboratory tests. In 1980, 88% of the loggers always used a helmet, and 32% an eye protector. In principle, the use of helmet, eye protector and ear protector is compulsory during forest work in Finland. Of every 100 accidents in logging in 1980, 8 to 15 injured the head or eyes, according to official statistics and the questionnaire. Loggers reported that the helmet was too hot in summer and too cold in winter. The low utilization rate for eye protectors is partly explained by design defects: the protectors become frosted in winter; there is poor visibility through the protectors when it rains or when dark; the protectors cause glare in sunshine. Product development seems to be necessary so that the helmet and eye protector can better fulfill the special requirements of forestry.

Physical Workload Analysis Among Small Industry Activities Using Postural Data

Small industry workers are often involved in manual handling operations that require awkward body postures, therefore, musculoskeletal disorders and occupational injuries are a major problem. In this study, various types of tasks were recorded with a video camera to chart and analyze different postures by computerized OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysing System). Collected data showed that poor postures were adopted not only for lifting or hammering operation but also for other tasks; mostly with bent and twisted back. The main aim was to determine the physical workload by identifying harmful postures and to develop recommendations for improving the existing situation. Forty-eight male workers from eight different units (M age = 37 years) participated. The performed activities were then divided into 26 subtasks. Altogether, 1,534 postures were selected for analysis and then classified into different OAC (OWAS Action Categories). From all observations, unhealthy postures, for which corrective measures had to be considered immediately (i.e., 10.6% classified as OAC III, and 3.3% as OAC IV), were found. The applied method was useful in determining the physical workload by locating potential activities due to harmful postures, providing a detailed description with analysis, and suggesting successful means to reduce postural load.

Footedness and Mounting—Short Review and Two Case Studies

Footedness is a personal quality like handedness. Footedness may be associated with moving ability during mounting, dismounting, and jumping movements. Occupational accidents have occurred during movement at different working levels, during the use of access and exit systems, and during the mounting of vehicles. Aging can also affect accident risk and body laterality. For example, falling accidents on stairs are common among the elderly. One reason for accidents may be that the structure of the access system or stair system is unsuitable for individual moving patterns depending partly on body laterality. Footedness and the way the feet are used may be contradictory to the demands of the moving situation, especially during uncommon or rapid situations. This contradiction may trigger disturbance during moving. The aims of this pilot study were (a) to review the literature briefly and (b) to describe the use of the dominant and nondominant foot by farmers and the elderly when mounting a tractor and stairs, respectively. The study also gives ideas for future studies based on both (a) and (b).

Safety Training Parks – Cooperative Contribution to Safety and Health Trainings

ABSTRACT Recent debate regarding the possibility for decreasing the risk of accidents within the construction industry has emphasized the need for innovative training methods. Training should combine behavior- and culture-based approaches, simulate real-life situations, and involve multiple methods. The concept of Safety Training Park (STP) has been developed to meet these challenges. Eighty stakeholders from the Finnish construction industry have been involved in the construction and financing of the STP in northern Finland (STPNF). This unique cooperation has contributed to the immediate success of the park. However, little is known regarding the creation process and how the utilization of the STPNF could be improved. This article presents as a case study the concept, joint creation process and lessons learned this far. Detailed descriptions of the STPNF, findings from focus group interviews, and evidence from the literature are presented with a focus on the pros and cons of the STPNF. The STP is a new and innovative method for safety training that stimulates different learning styles and inspires changes in individuals’ behavior and in the organizations’ safety climate. The stakeholders’ high commitment, a long-term perspective, and a strong safety climate are identified as preconditions for the STP concept to work.

Strategic accident reduction in an energy company and its resulting financial benefits

This study provides a case example of an energy company that prioritized occupational safety and health and accident reduction as long-term, strategic development targets. Furthermore, this study describes the monetary benefits of this strategic decision. Company-specific accident indicators and monetary costs and benefits are evaluated. During the observation period (2010–2016), strategic investments in occupational safety and health cost the company EUR 0.8 million. However, EUR 1.8 million were saved in the same period, resulting in a 2.20 cost–benefit ratio. The trend in cost savings is strongly positive. Annual accident costs were EUR 0.4 million lower in 2016 compared to costs in 2010. This study demonstrates that long-term, strategic commitment to occupational safety and health provides monetary value.

HSEQ Training Park in Northern Finland—A Novel Innovation and Forum for Cooperation in the Construction Industry

Safety training in the construction industry needs new methods and procedures if it is to effectively reduce currently high accident statistics figures. The HSEQ Training Park is a novel safety training innovation that enables practical demonstrations and active participation. The Park was constructed in Northern Finland through the cooperation of almost 70 companies and communities. It began its activities with trainer trainings in the spring of 2014. This study provides an overview of the design, construction process and structure of the Training Park.