Browsing by Author "Rodrigues, Matilde A."
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- An integration of intelligent approaches and economic criteria for predictive analytics of occupational accidentsPublication . Gholamizadeh, Kamran; Zarei, Esmaeil; Yazdi, Mohammad; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Shirmohammadi-Khorram, Nasrin; Mohammadfam, IrajOccupational accidents are a significant concern, resulting in human suffering, economic crises, and social issues. Despite ongoing efforts to comprehend their causes and predict their occurrences, the use of machine learning models in this domain remains limited. This study aims to address this gap by investigating intelligent approaches that incorporate economic criteria to predict occupational accidents. Four machine learning algorithms, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS), and M5 Tree Model (M5), were employed to predict occupational accidents, considering three economic criteria: basic income (BI), inflation index (II), and price index (PI). The study focuses on identifying the most suitable model for predicting the frequency of occupational accidents (FOA) and determining the economic criteria with the greatest influence. The results reveal that the RF model accurately predicts accidents across all income levels. Additionally, among the economic criteria, II had the most significant impact on accidents. The findings suggest that a reduction in FOA is unlikely in the coming years due to the increasing growth of II and PI, coupled with a slight annual increase in BI. Implementing appropriate countermeasures to enhance workers’ economic welfare, particularly for low-income employees, is crucial for reducing occupational accidents. This research underscores the potential of machine learning models in predicting and preventing occupational accidents while highlighting the critical role of economic factors. It contributes valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to develop effective strategies and interventions to improve workplace safety and workers’ economic well-being
- Characterization of OSH hazards in the Portuguese furniture sectorPublication . Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Arezes, Pedro; Leão, Celina P.The furniture sector is one of the most important economic sectors in the north of Portugal, comprising 5 798 companies and employing more than 32 000 workers (Eurostat, 2012). However, this is a sector with several economical and organizational constraints. For example, in these companies most of the workforce is unqualified, the professionalization in terms of their management, marketing and trade policies is reduced and the occupational accidents remain high (EGP, n.d.; Eurostat, 2012). The high number of accidents in this sector is the result of several factors, namely the sector’s risk, stakeholders’ low safety concerns, lack of machine maintenance and the lower qualifications of workers in the sector. Furthermore, the current economical situation in Portugal can also contribute to the small the sector. Furthermore, the current economical situation in Portugal can also contribute to the small Occupational, Safety & Health (OSH) domain (Loureiro et al ., 2014). Considering this scenario, it is important to know and characterize the hazards in this sector in order to identify the key risks of the sector, helping the competent authorities and the companies in the definition of a strategy of intervention in this crisis period.
- Cost-benefit analysis of a job rotation program: Identification and applicability of key indicators.Publication . Sá, Ana; Martins, Bibiana; Rodrigues, Matilde A.Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to repetitive work are common in the automotive industry. In order to reduce the risk of MSDs, new strategies of work organization can be implemented, such as a job rotation program. However, in some cases, employers and workers are little receptive to this measure, being important to demonstrate its efficacy through a cost-benefit analysis. This work aims to identify and to test the applicability of the indicators that better explain the cost-benefit impacts of a job rotation program in an automotive components plant.
- Gender differences in cognitive performance and psychophysiological responses during noise exposure and different workloadsPublication . Abbasi, Ali Mohammad; Darvishi, Ebrahim; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Sayehmiri, KouroshGender can affect the relationship between noise exposure and both cognitive function and comfort; however, evidence is still limited. This study aimed to examine the gender differences in cognitive performance and psychophysiological responses during exposure to noise under tasks with different workloads. Thirty-two participants (16 females and 16 males) with normal hearing and good general health were recruited. They were asked to perform the N-Back test at three levels of workload during exposure to four low-frequency noise conditions: 55, 65, 70, and 75 dB(A). The participants were also asked to judge noise-induced annoyance and subjective fatigue using visual analog scales at the end of each noise condition. The heart rate variability was also recorded using Nexus-4 device before and during each trial and the ratio of low to high frequency (LF/HF) power was analyzed. The results revealed that the females rated significantly higher levels of annoyance and fatigue than the males. The mean accuracy of the women in the level of 55 dB(A) with a medium workload was higher than that of the men, while in higher noise levels the men showed better performance. The response time to the stimulus was also lower in females at different noise levels and workloads. Furthermore, the findings showed that, with increasing noise level and workload, the LF/HF of the women was higher than that of the men Females and males indicated significant and different responses in exposure to different noise levels and workloads. Therefore, this study suggests that gender criteria should be taken into account particularly in the job selection, work content, and design of workplaces.
- International environmental health skills, knowledge, and qualifications: Enhancing professional practice through agreements between countriesPublication . Ross, Kirstin E.; Dyjack, David T.; Choonara, Adam; Davis, Gayle; Dawson, Henry; Hannelly, Toni; Lynch, Zena; Mitchell, Graeme; Ploompuu, Inga; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Shaw, LindsayEnvironmental health is practiced primarily at the local level; however, many of the skills held by environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are transferable globally. There is currently a shortage of EHPs in many parts of the world and formally recognizing the transferability of skills and knowledge within the profession might encourage people to consider environmental health as a profession, helping to address the shortage. To facilitate this transferability, our global community of practice has mapped the environmental health practice requirements of the U.S., UK, and Australia to enable comparison of each one to the others and demonstrate the level of similarity in practice requirements. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between the various professional bodies that oversee environmental health practice, which would allow qualif ied EHPs to practice in any of these countries. This flexibility would benefit the profession, professional practice, and individuals. MOUs are a way to recognize the similarities and di†erences between practices in these countries and provide pathways to address di†erences when they exist, such as via short courses and work experience. We present data to illustrate our argument that there is much overlap in the practice of EHPs. We see our research as a first step to engage with professional bodies in other countries and to facilitate MOUs between many countries, both to raise the profile of environmental health globally and to provide an attractive pathway for people to consider environmental health as a profession.
- Interventions based on biofeedback systems to improve workers’ psychological well-being, mental health and safety: a systematic literature reviewPublication . Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Mateus, Catarina; Rodrigues, Pedro Pereira; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde; Mateus, Catarina; Rocha, NunoIn modern, high-speed work settings, the significance of mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged as a pressing health issue, with potential adverse consequences for organizations, including reduced productivity and increased absenteeism. Over the past few years, various mental health management solutions, such as biofeedback applications, have surfaced as promising avenues to improve employees' mental well-being. To gain deeper insights into the suitability and effectiveness of employing biofeedback-based mental health interventions in real-world workplace settings, given that most research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory conditions. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that used biofeedback interventions in workplace settings. The review focused on traditional biofeedback, mindfulness, app-directed interventions, immersive scenarios, and in-depth physiological data presentation. The review identified nine studies employing biofeedback interventions in the workplace. Breathing techniques showed great promise in decreasing stress and physiological parameters, especially when coupled with visual and/or auditory cues. Future research should focus on developing and implementing interventions to improve well-being and mental health in the workplace, with the goal of creating safer and healthier work environments and contributing to the sustainability of organizations.
- Is the crisis affecting the companies’ commitment on the OSH issues? (The workers’ perceptions)Publication . Vale, Cláudia; Loureiro, Isabel F.; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Azevedo, RuiPortugal is undergoing an economic crisis affecting the European Union since 2007. The financial unsustainability of the country required foreign aid and austerity measures have been implemented. In consequence, it is expected more financial difficulties to the companies at different levels, particularly in issues related with safety. In this context, Leahy et al . (2012) pointed out that, due to the crises, companies have to adjust their priorities regarding the investments namely, on the Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) issues. Even though OSH is now one of the most important and most highly developed aspects of EU’s policy on employment and social affairs, Kompier (2006) e Papadopoulos et al . (2010) confirmed that in the past few years, the work environment have suffered significantly changes. The most important ones are the workload, the schedule and worker flexibility, the extension of working hours for the weekend, the inconsistent schedules, the precarious work (Kompier 2006; Papadopoulos et al ., 2010). These changes are responsible for some effects on the workers’ wellbeing, take as example the exposure to the psychosocial risks and stress at work. Nowadays organizations need to be increasingly more competitive, in part due to the financial crises we are facing, but also due to the emergence of new competitors. In Portugal the most affected dimension was the Small and Medium enterprises (SME). This factor has a negative impact in the economic competitiveness as this type of companies is responsible for the employment of two millions people. It is authors’ believes that the effects of an economic crisis on safety and health are a challenging topic nevertheless, studies in this area, can stress new strategies to then OSH issues.
- Modelo pedagógico Problem Based Learning aplicado na licenciatura em Saúde AmbientalPublication . Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Nunes, Mafalda; Freitas, Marisa; Santos, Joana; Silva, Manuela V.No ano letivo 2017/18 iniciou-se o processo de transição do plano de estudos do curso de Licenciatura em Saúde Ambiental, na Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto. A nova estrutura curricular do curso assenta no modelo pedagógico Problem Based Learning (PBL). Este modelo é muitas vezes definido em oposição às abordagens ditas como “tradicionais”. Um dos pontos mais diferenciadores é a sua interdisciplinaridade, a qual se encontra refletida na estrutura curricular do curso. A substituição do conhecimento fragmentado, apresentado nos modelos tradicionais em diferentes Unidades Curriculares (UC), pelo estudo de problemas reais em Saúde Ambiental que permitem envolver e relacionar várias áreas de conhecimento, promove não só uma melhor integração dos conteúdos curriculares, mas também potencia a aprendizagem, de uma forma contextual. Neste modelo pedagógico o docente deixa de ser visto como um meio para expor a matéria, passando a ser considerado pelo estudante como um especialista com quem poderá esclarecer as suas questões ao longo das sessões de recurso (equivalente às aulas teóricas). Adicionalmente, existe a necessidade da figura de um tutor, o qual acompanhará o grupo ao longo do estudo do problema nas sessões de orientação tutorial. Este trabalho em grupo promove o desenvolvimento de competências transversais. Foi realizada uma análise comparativa do desempenho dos estudantes entre os dois planos de estudos. Numa primeira fase, foram determinadas as notas equivalentes às novas UC dos 1º e 2º anos considerando a classificação obtida pelos estudantes em 16/17 e de acordo com o plano de acreditação do ciclo de estudos. Posteriormente, estes resultados foram comparados com as notas obtidas pelos estudantes nas novas UC em 2017/18. Os dados denotaram uma melhoria nos resultados de aprendizagem, enfatizando a pertinência do PBL na Licenciatura em Saúde Ambiental.
- Síndrome visual de computador: influência de fatores individuais e da ergonomia do posto de trabalho nas alterações visuaisPublication . Pina, Ana; Mateus, Catarina; Rodrigues, Matilde A.A Síndrome Visual de Computador (SVC) é caracterizada por um conjunto de sintomas visuais associados à utilização prolongada do computador. Apesar da crescente ênfase dada a esta problemática nos últimos anos, não é ainda clara a sua prevalência entre os trabalhadores que realizam trabalho com ecrãs de visualização, bem como sobre os fatores que a influenciam. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a SVC entre os funcionários administrativos e os técnicos superiores de uma instituição de ação social. Pretendeu se identificar os trabalhadores afetados, determinando a prevalência da SVC, bem como identificar os fatores de risco pessoais, comportamentais e do posto de trabalho associados ao seu desenvolvimento.
- Sound exposure of garage rock bands musiciansPublication . Almeida, João; Silva, Daniel; Carmo, Paulo; Neves, Paula; Rodrigues, Matilde A.Previous studies have been shown that musicians are exposed to high sound levels in the course of rehearsals and performances (Rodrigues et al .,2014), which can be the source of hearing damages (Jansen et al ., 2009). However, other musical groups can also be exposed to high sound levels, as is the case of the garage rock bands musicians. This particular group of musicians, due to the style of the music played, can be exposed to dangerous sound levels. This situation can be even worse if considered the conditions of the rooms where the rehearsals and performances are being done. In fact, in most of cases, rock musicians play in rooms with small dimensions and with poor acoustic conditions. Despite the importance of this issue, few studies analyzed this issue, particularly integrating two important issues, the sound exposure and to hearing damages.