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- Effect of a safety education program on risk perception of vocational students: A comparative study of different intervention methodologiesPublication . Rodrigues, Matilde; Vales, C.; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaThis study intends to analyze and compare the effect of a Safety Education Program (SEP) on vocational students’ risk perception when different training methodologies are used. A SEP was designed and applied to 157 students of Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs. The sample was divided in three groups. In each group a different training methodology was applied: theory based; demonstration-based and testimonies-based. To assess their effect on students’ risk perception, the same survey questionnaire was applied two weeks before and after the SEP. Results showed a significant and important positive impact of the SEP. Comparisons among intervention methodologies showed dif ferences in their effect on risk perception, where a greater effect was found for testimonies-based meth odology. The results of this study emphasize the importance of a SEP in VET programs. However, the importance of a proper training methodology was demonstrated.
- Estabelecimentos de Restauração e Bebidas: estudo sobre a Qualidade do Ar Interior em CozinhasPublication . Ferreira, Daniela; Rebelo, Andreia; Santos, Joana; Sousa, Vanessa; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaO sector da Restauração e Hotelaria encontra-se em constante expansão e representa uma importante fonte de emprego no sector dos serviços, empregando cerca de 7,8 milhões de pessoas na União Europeia. As condições de trabalho deste sector apresentam vários riscos associados ao trabalho fisicamente exigente, exposição a elevados níveis de ruído, trabalho realizado em ambientes quentes ou frios, quedas, cortes, queimaduras, exposição a substâncias perigosas e riscos psicossociais, relacionados com as condições ergonómicas, exigências das funções, horários de trabalho e autonomia, entre outros (AESST, 2008). As áreas de fabrico são espaços onde devem ser considerados um conjunto de requisitos que minimizem a contaminação dos alimentos e garantam condições adequadas de higiene e segurança no trabalho (Afonso & Silva, 2009). No âmbito da higiene e segurança no trabalho existe legislação nacional aplicável a este sector com o objectivo de eliminar/minimizar a exposição a riscos profissionais, melhorando as condições estruturais e de funcionamento destes espaços, como a Portaria n.º 987/93, de 6 de Outubro e o Decreto-Lei n.º 243/86, de 20 de Agosto.
- 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.
- Effects of an occupational safety programme: A comparative study between different training methods involving secondary and vocational school studentsPublication . Rodrigues, Matilde; Vale, Claudia; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaStrategies for incorporating proper training in occupational safety at secondary schools are important, since young workers are more likely to be injured at work. However, for a successful educational intervention, an effective Occupational Safety Programme (OSP) with appropriate training methods should be designed and implemented. This study intends to analyze and compare the effects of an OSP in students from diverse school settings, when different training methods are applied. An OSP was designed focusing on the risks related to handling machinery and maintenance tasks and delivered to 301 students from two secondary schools and two vocational schools from the North of Portugal. The sample was divided into three groups, and for each group, a different training method was applied: theory-based; demonstration-based or testimonies-based. To assess its effectiveness, a questionnaire was developed for evaluating the following dimensions: risk acceptance, safety commitment, intended safety behaviors and safety knowledge. The questionnaire was applied two weeks before and after the OSP. A significantly positive effect of the OSP was identified in all dimensions. Comparisons between the three methods showed a greater effect of the testimonies-based intervention in risk acceptance and intended safety behaviors; however, for safety knowledge and safety commitment this was the least effective method. The influence of school type was observed for the safety behaviors and safety commitment dimensions. In conclusion, this study’s results suggested that more engaging methods had larger effects on student risk acceptance and intended safety behaviors, while expositive and demonstrative methods were more suitable to improve safety knowledge and commitment.
- Analysis of health effects reported by agricultural workers and the adverse human effects Indicated on pesticide labels: A systematic reviewPublication . Moreira, Andreia; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaHuman pesticide exposure remains a significant issue, impacting both the environment and human health. Occupational pesticide exposure is primarily linked to improper worker practices, often due to a lack of knowledge or difficulty interpreting label information and other technical aspects of pesticide application. This systematic review aims to identify the pesticides most used by agricultural workers, the symptoms they experience due to exposure, and the GHS hazard statements on these pesticide labels. Following the PRISMA guidelines, the search identified 16 articles addressing health effects associated with the most frequently used pesticides. These studies predominantly come from Asia (68.8%), Africa (25%), and America (6.2%), with most pesticides being outside the list approved by the EC. Related symptoms were reported in 80 to 100% of the studies that included these pesticides. An evident relationship has been identified between GHS hazard statements and associated symptoms for certain pesticides. Therefore, companies and public authorities must collaborate to improve workers’ training, particularly in reading and interpreting product labels. Additionally, they must thoroughly explain the risks associated with improper pesticide practices and application to safeguard workers’ health.
- Challenges and solutions for sustainable food systems: The potential of home hydroponicsPublication . Sousa, Rui de; Bragança, Luís; Vieira da Silva, Manuela; Oliveira, Rui S.The global food system is currently facing significant challenges that make it unsustainable and environmentally harmful. These challenges not only threaten food security but also have severe negative impacts on the environment. Efforts have been made to reform agrifood systems and align them with the built environment, but emerging obstacles have revealed the weaknesses in these systems, particularly in less self-sufficient countries. This review outlines the primary environmental problems associated with global agrifood systems and the challenges in promoting food security. It emphasizes that the increasing global population and urbanization need rational and equitable changes in food systems, including production, distribution, storage, and consumption. These changes should aim to minimize environmental impacts by protecting and efficiently utilizing natural resources such as air, water, soil, and biodiversity, reducing food loss and waste, and mitigating pollution that contributes to ecosystem degradation and climate change. In this context, hydroponics emerges as a sustainable, plant-based food production technique that can be employed as a solution in urban areas. It can be implemented in domestic microproduction systems, serving as a complementary alternative to conventional food production methods. This study also provides insights into the challenges that need to be addressed in order to enhance home hydroponic systems. The integration of hydroponics into urban food production offers the potential to tackle both food security and environmental sustainability issues, providing a path toward more resilient and efficient food systems.
- Evaluation of perceived risk by education professionals in kindergartenPublication . Tavares, J.M.; Azevedo, R.P.; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaThe present study aims to evaluate the perceived risk by education professionals of 8 Kindergarten of the city of Maia. A survey was applied to a sample of 34 kindergarten teachers and 34 auxiliary teaching staff. The results obtained revealed no statistical difference between risk perception of the two professionals groups, both occupational categories answered in general according to the requirements in the Portuguese legislation. The results also highlight the importance of risk communication and experi ence sharing as measures to decrease accident occurrence and increase the success of a safety culture
- Noise in neonatal intensive care units: a short reviewPublication . Alberto Alves Carvalhais, Carlos; Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Silva, Joana; Xavier, Ana; Santos, JoanaPrematurity and low birth weight of newborns lead to the need of a special care in neonatal units, and their permanence in these places can be extended for a long period. Indoor environmental conditions, such noise levels above the recommended, may induce some risks, not only for the newborns development, but also for health care staff. This literature review aims to examine the studies related to noise in neonatal intensive care units to understand the sources and effects of noise, as well as some strategies to reduce noise exposure. The search strategy included an electronic search in databases (ISI Web of Knowledge and PubMed) of scientific articles published in English/Portuguese between 2000-2017. Studies providing data on noise levels found in the neonatal units, the effects on health of newborns and staff and the measures to minimize these effects were included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: duplicate printings; nonEnglish/Portuguese language; editorials, letters, patents, errata, meeting abstracts and conference papers. PRISMA methodology was followed to perform the review. Twenty-two articles were considered for full analysis. It is important to note that some potentially relevant studies were rejected due to language criteria. It was found that the noise levels to which the newborns and staff are exposed in NICU, often exceeds the recommended levels for these spaces. Evidence also shows several adverse health effects for newborns and health care staff perceptions of noise. There is no consensus regarding the best intervention to reduce noise levels.
- Sound exposure of music students during the classesPublication . Rodrigues, Matilde; Amorim, Marta; Vieira da Silva, Manuela; Rodrigues, Cristina; Aguiar, Lívia; Neves, Paula; Sousa, Aida; Inácio, OctávioIt is broadly recognized that professional musicians are at risk of developing ear pathologies due to the exposition to loud music in the course of rehearsals and performances (MacDonald et al ., 2008; O’Brien et al ., 2008; Jansen et al ., 2009). However, while much has been published regarding the sound exposure of professional musicians, particularly of orchestral musicians, little is known of the sound exposure of the music students. In fact, it is important to recognize that the musicians’ noise exposure may start very early, in the course of their training as students, in the school classrooms and at homes.
- Influence of mixtures of acenaphthylene and benzo[a] anthracene on their degradation by Pleurotus ostreatus in sandy soilPublication . Rocha, Inês; Pinto, Edgar; Ferreira, Isabel M. P. L. V. O.; Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Oliveira, Rui S.Purpose Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic compounds commonly found as soil contaminants. Fungal degradation is considered as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to remove PAHs from soil. Acenaphthylene (Ace) and Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) are two PAHs that can coexist in soils; however, the influence of the presence of each other on their biodegradation has not been studied. The biodegradation of Ace and BaA, alone and in mixtures, by the white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus was studied in a sandy soil. Materials and methods Experimental microcosms containing soil spiked with different concentrations of Ace and BaAwere inoculated with P. ostreatus. Initial (t 0) and final (after 15 days of incubation) soil concentrations of Ace and BaA were determined after extraction of the PAHs. Results and discussion P. ostreatus was able to degrade 57.7% of the Ace in soil spiked at 30 mg kg−1 dry soil and 65.8% of Ace in soil spiked at 60 mg kg−1 dry soil. The degradation efficiency of BaA by P. ostreatus was 86.7 and 77.4% in soil spiked with Ace at 30 and 60 mg kg−1 dry soil, respectively. After 15 days of incubation, there were no significant differences in Ace concentration between soil spiked with Ace and soil spiked with Ace + BaA, irrespective of the initial soil concentration of both PAHs. There were also no differences in BaA concentration between soil spiked with BaA and soil spiked with BaA + Ace. Conclusions The results indicate that the fungal degradation of Ace and BaA was not influenced by the presence of each other’s PAH in sandy soil. Bioremediation of soils contaminated with Ace and BaA using P. ostreatus is a promising approach to eliminate these PAHs from the environment.