Browsing by Author "Baptista, J. Santos"
Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Control Banding applied to engineered nanomaterials: Short reviewPublication . Pereira, Andréa; Meira Castro, Ana C.; Baptista, J. SantosControl Banding (CB) methodology is one of the approaches developed on assessment and management of the risk of hazardous substances exposure. In the last decade, several CB tools were developed regarding workers’ exposure to nanomaterials. This review intends to identify CB methods already applied in occupational settings in industrial activities and laboratories with exposure to nanoma- terials, aiming to help the selection of a CB tool to be applied in a specific scenario, allowing to achieve most reliable results. The results of the data base search revealed seven CB tools applied to laboratories and industrial activities. Although the similarities, these tools present differences that may affect the con- sistency of the resulting conclusions. CB methodologies allow to define priorities in applying adequate control measures. However, the results also indicate that workplaces’ measurements and its comparison with CB results are valuable to support possible future adjustments to seek more consistent results.
- Health effects on workers exposed to engineered nanomaterials: Short reviewPublication . Pereira, André; Meira Castro, Ana C.; Costa, J. Torres; Baptista, J. SantosThe huge increase in the nanotechnology industry has also resulted in an enormous growth in the number of workers exposure in nanoparticles. Consequently, researches has been carried out regarding health and safety risks of engineered nanomaterials and the regulation of potencial new hazards is a global concern. However little is known about the impact of engineered nanomaterials in human health. This short review purpose is to identify the potencial human health effects resulting from occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials, supported on data base search. the article search revealed 5 studies on health performed in work-places and 14 in vitro and in vivo studies. Lung inflammatory effects, cytoxicity, oxidative stress and DNA damage were the most referred as potencial health effects. However, more studies are still needed to obtain reliable data about nanomaterials effects on human health.
- Identification and characterization of the main forest management systemsPublication . Lima, K. Sumaya; Meira Castro, Ana C.; Baptista, J. SantosA proficient forest management system aims to merge the sustainable use and exploitation of the forest with its conservation through a set of rules oriented towards the certification of forest management. In order to identify and characterize the main forest management systems available at the international level a scientific literature review was conducted in 24 databases. Two forest management systems internationally accepted were identified: the FSC system responsible for 39% of international forest management certifications and the PEFC system that accounts for 61%. Other forest management systems were also performed by some countries but their scope is strictly focused on the countries’ characteristics.
- Manifestations of muscle fatigue during repetitive low-moderate intensity work: a brief reviewPublication . Santos, Joana; Monteiro, Pedro; Miguel, Alberto Sérgio; Santos, Rubim; Baptista, J. Santos; Vaz, MárioMuscle fatigue is a complex phenomenon that has been suggested to be an important precursor for work-related upperlimb musculoskeletal disorders. The assembly work is an example of low-moderate intensity work with elevated risk of muscle fatigue development. This review was performed to summarise and analyse the studies that investigated the influence of work requirements on muscle fatigue development in workplaces or experimental setting. This review was based on relevant articles published from 2000 to 2013 in the research platform Web of Knowledge. The studies included in this review were performed in humans and assess peripheral muscle fatigue in upper limbs during occupational activities. The search yielded 103 articles and 10 were included, according to inclusion criteria. Few studies were conducted in real work environment and the most common methods used to assess muscle fatigue were surface electromyography (EMG). The work duration and intensity level were the determinants of muscle fatigue that had more consistent results in terms of EMG- based parameters. In the studies that report subjective measurement of muscle fatigue, the subjective ratings increase. More research is needed to understand the impact of work requirements on muscle fatigue and work-related performance.
- MIARforest Reproducibility and Reliability for Assessing Occupational Risks in the RainforestPublication . Lima, Killian; Castro, Ana C. Meira; Baptista, J. SantosThe Method for the Integrated Assessment of Risks for rainforest (MIARforest) is a specific methodology for assessing the risk of occupational accidents associated with working in native tropical forests. MIARforest was validated for the results’ reproducibility and the reliability of calculated risk levels through the Delphi approach. Two rounds of questionnaires illustrating ten scenarios of activities associated with the logging process in the Eastern Amazon’s native rainforest (Brazil) were presented to forestry and occupational health and safety (OHS) experts. In the first round, the questionnaire was answered anonymously by 55 experts, and in the second, by 46. A percentage of agreement of at least 80% in each question was considered to close the process. Questions that did not meet the criterion in the first round were reassessed in the second round. The obtained results lead to the conclusion that MIARforest, an occupational accident risk assessment tool, has been effectively validated, demonstrating inter-rater reproducibility and reliability in determining risk values. These results highlight the objectivity and reliability of MIARforest.
- NeoNoise Project: Preliminary results of sound pressure levels in a neonatal intensive care unitPublication . Santos, Joana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Nóia, Mara; Baptista, J. Santos; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaThe noise in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) is recognized by many researchers as an agent with negative implications on health and well-being of premature infants and health professionals. The present study aimed to evaluate and analyse the sound pressure levels variations in a Portuguese NICU and the noise perception of health professionals and, consequently, propose control actions for noise reduction levels. The measurements of the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq), took into account the layout of unit and location of the main sources of noise. A questionnaire was applied to assess noise perception of professionals. In general, the results are higher than the limit recommended by international organizations, ranged between 48.3 dB (A) and 82.5 dB (A). Routine activities were identified as potential source of noise levels. Significant differences has been found between the morning and night shift (p
- Occupational accidents in native and planted forests in Brazil: 2007–2018Publication . Lima, Killian S.; Meira Castro, Ana C.; Torres Costa, J.; Baptista, J. SantosBACKGROUND:Despite constant technological evolution, the forestry sector is still characterised as one with the highest risk of occupational accidents. There is no doubt that accidents penalise workers considerably, as well as the companies, insurers, and, consequently, the society, to which many of the costs are externalised, namely in cases where the worker is incapacitated and unable to work. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this work is to analyse data on occupational accidents in forestry operations in Brazil between 2007 and 2018 in both native and planted forests. METHODS:Data were made available by the Brazilian Statistical Directory of Accidents at Work. RESULTS:The results show that, although most accidents occurred in planted forests, mortality was higher in native forests. It was also found that, overall, the rate of serious accidents resulting in an incapacity to work and, consequently, sick leave is considerably high. CONCLUSIONS:These results highlight that integrating an occupational safety system into a forest management system is crucial for reducing work-related accidents in both native and planted forests. However, the success of this measure will only be effective if it is accompanied by a review of both the Brazilian labour policy and the Brazilian occupational safety management policy, to ensure compliance with legislation, mainly on the part of outsourced companies.
- Wood-Logging Process Management in Eastern Amazonia (Brazil)Publication . Lima, Killian S.; Castro, Ana C. Meira; Baptista, J. Santos; Silva, UlissesIn this work, the wood-logging process of four federal conservation units (FCUs) in the Eastern Amazonia forest are described and compared. The approach focused on on-site observation of activities and tasks performed during the process. As an outcome, it was observed that companies implement activities similarly, regardless of their specific know-how. The most significant difference was identified in the cross-cutting operation, which is carried out in several steps and which interferes with the efficiency of the activity and the exposure of workers to occupational risks. The use of geographic information systems (GIS) during planning and management activities, and the use of modern machinery equipped with safety devices, in combination with workers’ theoretic and practical continuous training, were identified as crucial measures that assure operational efficiency in the four companies assessed. Seeking to contribute to the sustainable development of the Amazon forest, a generic model for wood logging is proposed, which brings together best practices identified in the companies studied and makes it possible to obtain the best benefit at the lowest workers’ exposure to the risk of occupational accident