Browsing by Author "Pereira, Cristiana C."
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- Biological risk assessment: a challenge for occupational health and safety practitioners during Covi-19 (Sars-CoV-2) PandemicPublication . Alberto Alves Carvalhais, Carlos; Querido, Micaela Micaela; Pereira, Cristiana C.; Santos, JoanaThe COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. One of these is the need to (re)assess the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks.
- Unveiling stress vulnerability and occupational noise perception as burnout predictors: Results of an exploratory study in industrial environmentsPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Alberto Alves Carvalhais, Carlos; Ribeiro, Luísa Antunes; Pereira, Cristiana C.Burnout is a complex phenomenon influenced by both environmental and individual factors. This pilot study explores the predictive role of occupational noise perception and stress vulnerability on burnout symptoms among industrial workers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 119 Portuguese workers exposed to occupational noise. Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing noise perception, stress vulnerability, and burnout. Path analysis revealed that both higher stress vulnerability and greater perceived occupational noise were significant predictors of elevated burnout levels. Furthermore, gender emerged as a relevant predictor, with women reporting significantly higher burnout symptoms than men. Age was inversely related to stress vulnerability, indicating greater resilience among older workers. These findings suggest that individual differences in stress vulnerability and noise perception contribute meaningfully to burnout risk, beyond traditional occupational hazard assessments. The study underscores the need for holistic occupational health strategies, integrating both environmental modifications and psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing workers’ coping capacities. This study contributes novel insights into the interplay between perceived noise and psychological vulnerability in industrial settings, supporting broader preventive measures for work-related mental health outcomes.
- Workplace management of biological risk during COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2) pandemicPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Querido, Micaela; Pereira, Cristiana C.; Santos, JoanaThe COVID-19 global pandemic brought several challenges to occupational safety and health practice. There is, however, a potential knowledge gap regarding the practical feasibility and impact of the (re)assessment of the occupational risks, particularly, biological risks in this context. The purpose of this work is to present a qualitative biological risk assessment method and to provide guidance to occupational and environmental safety and health practitioners when conducting a biological risk assessment. The main steps of the biological risk assessment are explained with some inputs regarding the novelty posed by SARS-CoV-2 and a biological qualitative risk assessment method is presented and applied to two different activities – wastewater treatment plant and a symphonic orchestra. In both cases, the assessment considered that vulnerable workers were working from home or in medical leave. The results showed low or medium risk level for the assessed tasks. For medium risk level, additional controls are advised, such maintain social distancing, sanitize instruments/equipment before use, use proper and well-maintained PPE (when applicable), and promote awareness sessions to spread good practices at work. Employers must be aware of their obligations regarding biological risk assessment and OSH practitioners must be prepared to screen and link the abundance of scientific evidence generated following the outbreak, with the technical practice. This work could be an important contribution to OSH practice since it highlights the need to (re)assess occupational risks, especially biological risk, to ensure safe conditions at work, providing technical guidance.