Search Results (509)

Green hydrogen is a clean, versatile, and future-oriented fuel that can play a key role in the energy transition, decarbonization of the economy, and climate protection. It offers an alternative to fossil fuels and can be used in various applications, including power generation, industry, and transportation. However, due to its wide flammability range, small molecular size, and high diffusivity, special attention must be paid to ensuring safety during its use, particularly in leakage control. This paper provides a review and analysis of equipment leakage testing methods used for natural gas, with a view to applying these methods to the leakage testing of gas meters intended for hydrogen-containing gas mixtures and pure hydrogen. Tests of simulated leaks were carried out using two common methods: the bubble method and the pressure decay method, for three different gases: nitrogen (most commonly used for leak testing), helium, and hydrogen. The results obtained from the tests and analyses made it possible to verify and select optimum leak-testing methods for gas meters designed for measuring fuels containing hydrogen. Full article

This project aimed to develop personal protective equipment (PPE) that provides full biological protection for the general public without the need for extensive training to use the equipment. With the proposal to develop a device guided by a smartphone monitoring application (to guide the user on the replacement of perishable components, ensuring their safety and biological protection in potentially contaminated places), the embedded electronics of this equipment were built, as well as their control system, including a smartphone app. Thus, a device was successfully developed to monitor and assist individuals in using an advanced PPE device. Full article

Chainsaws are widely used in various occupational settings, including forestry, landscaping, farming, and by homeowners for tasks like tree felling, brush clearing, and firewood cutting. However, the use of chainsaws poses significant risks to operators and bystanders. This research quantified and compared occupational and nonoccupational injuries caused by contact with chainsaws and related objects during the period from 2018 to 2022. The emergency department and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) data were used to characterize the cause and nature of the injuries. Results suggest that for this five-year period an estimated 127,944 people were treated in U.S. emergency departments for chainsaw-related injuries. More than 200 non-fatal and 57 fatal occupational chainsaw-involved injuries were found during the same period. Landscaping and forestry were the two industries where most of the occupational victims were employed. Upper and lower extremities were the most likely injured body parts, with open wounds from cuts being the most common injury type. The majority of fatal injuries were caused by falling objects such as trees and tree limbs while using a chainsaw. Our suggestions to reduce injuries include proper training and wearing personal protective equipment, as well as making sure any bystanders are kept in a safety zone away from trees being cut. Full article

In manufacturing environments, the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential to prevent workplace accidents. Despite this need, existing PPE monitoring methods remain largely manual and suffer from limited coverage, significant errors, and inefficiencies. This article focuses on addressing this deficiency by designing a computer vision desktop application for automated monitoring of PPE use. This system uses lightweight YOLOv8 models, developed to run on the local system and operate even in industrial locations with limited network connectivity. Using a Lean UX approach, the development of the system involved creating empathy maps, assumptions, product backlog, followed by high-fidelity prototype interface components. C4 and physical diagrams helped define the system architecture to facilitate modifiability, scalability, and maintainability. Usability was verified using the System Usability Scale (SUS), with a score of 87.6/100 indicating “excellent” usability. The findings demonstrate that a user-centered design approach, considering user experience and technical flexibility, can significantly advance the utility and adoption of AI-based safety tools, especially in small- and medium-sized manufacturing operations. This article delivers a validated and user-centered design solution for implementing machine vision systems into manufacturing safety processes, simplifying the complexities of utilizing advanced AI technologies and their practical application in resource-limited environments. Full article

Background: Informal welders in Pretoria West face growing occupational safety risks due to hazardous working environments and limited regulatory oversight. Despite the high-risk nature of their work, many remain unaware of relevant safety legislation and inconsistently use personal protective equipment (PPE). This study aimed to investigate the occupational safety risks, challenges, and levels of compliance with safety practices among informal welders in Pretoria West, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative designs. Data were collected from 40 male welders (aged 20–55 years) using structured questionnaires, observational checklists, and semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were generated using Microsoft Excel, while thematic content analysis was applied to the qualitative data. Results: Eighty-five percent (85%) of welders reported using gas welding, and more than half had received training in welding and PPE use; however, 47.5% had no formal training. A high prevalence of work-related injuries was reported, including burns, cuts, and eye damage. Common safety concerns identified were burns (42.5%), electric shocks (35%), and malfunctioning equipment. Observational data revealed inconsistent PPE use, particularly with flame-resistant overalls and eye protection. Qualitative insights highlighted challenges such as demanding client expectations, hazardous physical environments, and inadequate equipment maintenance. Many sites lacked compliance with occupational safety standards. Conclusion: The study reveals critical gaps in safety knowledge, training, and PPE compliance among informal welders. These deficiencies significantly elevate the risk of occupational injuries. Strengthening occupational health and safety regulations, improving access to PPE, and delivering targeted training interventions are essential to safeguard the well-being of welders and those in their surrounding communities. Full article

The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses is critical for infectious disease control and public health protection. While conventional methods (e.g., culture, microscopy, serology, and PCR) are widely used, they are often limited by lengthy processing times, high costs, and specialized equipment requirements. In recent years, metal nanocluster (MNC)-based biosensors have emerged as powerful diagnostic platforms due to their unique optical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties. This systematic review comprehensively surveys advancements in MNC-based biosensors for bacterial and viral pathogen detection, focusing on optical (colorimetric and fluorescence) and electrochemical platforms. Three key aspects are emphasized: (1) detection mechanisms, (2) nanocluster types and properties, and (3) applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. The literature demonstrates that MNC-based biosensors provide high sensitivity, specificity, portability, and cost-efficiency. Moreover, the integration of nanotechnology with biosensing platforms enables real-time and point-of-care diagnostics. This review also discusses the limitations and future directions of the technology, emphasizing the need for enhanced stability, multiplex detection capability, and clinical validation. The findings offer valuable insights for developing next-generation biosensors with improved functionality and broader applicability in microbial diagnostics. Full article

In the coal industry, miner safety is increasingly challenged by growing mining depths and complex environments. The failure to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a frequent issue in accidents, threatening lives and reducing operational efficiency. Additionally, existing PPE datasets are inadequate for model training due to their small size, lack of diversity, and poor labeling. Current methods often struggle with the complexity of multi-scenario and multi-type PPE detection, especially under varying environmental conditions and with limited training data. In this paper, we propose a novel minersPPE dataset and an improved algorithm based on YOLOv8, enhanced with Dilated-CBAM (Dilated Convolutional Block Attention Module) and DBB (Diverse Branch Block) Detection Block (YOLOv8-DCDB), to address these challenges. The minersPPE dataset constructed in this paper includes 14 categories of protective equipment needed for various body parts of miners. To improve detection performance under complex lighting conditions and with varying PPE features, the algorithm incorporates the Dilated-CBAM module. Additionally, a multi-branch structured detection head is employed to effectively capture multi-scale features, especially enhancing the detection of small targets. To mitigate the class imbalance issue caused by the long-tail distribution in the dataset, we adopt a K-fold cross-validation strategy, optimizing the detection results. Compared to standard YOLOv8-based models, experiments on the minersPPE dataset demonstrate an 18.9% improvement in detection precision, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed YOLOv8-DCDB model in multi-scenario, multi-type PPE detection tasks. Full article

To ensure the on-orbit safety of crewed spacecraft and avoid the threat of constellations such as Starlink to manned spacecraft, the industry has started to research equipping phased array radars for situational awareness of collision threat. In order to enhance the resource allocation capability of the space station’s protection radar system, this paper proposes a task scheduling method based on time shifting constraints and pulse interleaving. The time shifting constraint is designed to minimize the deviation between the actual execution and the desired execution time of the task, and it is negatively correlated with the threat degree of the target. Pulse interleaving is intended to utilize the idle time between the transmitted pulse and the received pulse of a task to perform other tasks, thereby improving the utilization of radar resources. Through computer simulation under typical parameters, our proposed method reduces the average time shifting ratio by about 60% compared to traditional task scheduling methods, and the scheduling success ratio is also higher than that of traditional scheduling methods. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method in enhancing scheduling efficiency and overall system performance. Full article

Distribution transformers serve as critical nodes in smart grids, and management of their recycling plays a vital role in the full life-cycle management for electrical equipment. However, the traditional manual dismantling methods often exhibit a low metal recovery efficiency and high levels of hazardous substance residue. To facilitate green, cost-effective, and fine-grained recycling of distribution transformers, this study proposes a fine-grained dismantling decision-making system based on a knowledge graph subgraph comparison and multimodal fusion perception. First, a standardized dismantling process is designed to achieve refined transformer decomposition. Second, a comprehensive set of multi-dimensional evaluation metrics is established to assess the effectiveness of various recycling strategies for different transformers. Finally, through the integration of multimodal perception with knowledge graph technology, the system achieves automated sequencing of the dismantling operations. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method attains 99% accuracy in identifying recyclable transformers and 97% accuracy in auction-based pricing. The residual oil rate in dismantled transformers is reduced to below 1%, while the metal recovery efficiency increases by 40%. Furthermore, the environmental sustainability and economic value are improved by 23% and 40%, respectively. This approach significantly enhances the recycling value and environmental safety of distribution transformers, providing effective technical support for smart grid development and environmental protection. Full article

Polycarbonate laboratory safety glasses and facial shields were tested for impact resistance. Impacts from 22-caliber bullets fired from a firearm were compared with impacts of pellets fired from an air rifle. A low-weight pellet fired from an air rifle is a suitable and safer alternative to the use of a firearm. The results show that if there is a need for protection from flying projectiles, one should use multiple layers of protection. Furthermore, already-damaged protective equipment, even if the damage appears to be minor, may not provide any protection and should not be used. The resulting impacted polycarbonate lenses and sheets were used in a classroom discussion with the undergraduate chemistry students about polymer properties and adequate safety protection. Full article

Ensuring that electrical workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly is critical to electrical safety, but existing detection methods face significant limitations when applied in the electrical industry. This paper introduces MRC-DETR (Multi-Scale Re-calibration Detection Transformer), a novel framework for detecting Power Engineering Personal Protective Equipment (PEPPE) in complex electrical operating environments. Our method introduces two technical innovations: a Multi-Scale Enhanced Boundary Attention (MEBA) module, which significantly improves the detection of small and occluded targets through optimized feature representation, and a knowledge distillation strategy that enables efficient deployment on edge devices. We further contribute a dedicated PEPPE dataset to address the lack of domain-specific training data. Experimental results demonstrate superior performance compared to existing methods, particularly in challenging power industry scenarios. Full article

In this study, we propose a rehabilitation training system that incorporates active and passive rehabilitation modes to enhance the convenience, efficacy, and safety of rehabilitation training for patients with upper limb hemiplegia. This system facilitates elbow flexion and extension as well as wrist and palm flexion and extension. The experimental results demonstrate that the exoskeleton robot on the affected limb exhibits a rapid response and maintains a highly synchronized movement with the unaffected upper limb equipped with an angle sensor, preserving stability and coordination throughout the movement process without significant delay affecting the overall motion. When the movement of the unaffected upper limb exceeds the predetermined angle threshold, the affected limb promptly initiates a protective mechanism to maintain its current posture. Upon equalization of the angles between the two limbs, the affected limb resumes synchronized movement, thereby ensuring the safety of the rehabilitation training. This research provides some insights into the functional improvements of safe and reliable upper limb exoskeleton rehabilitation training systems. Full article

Hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV) infections persist as significant public health concerns. Specific occupational groups, such as waste collectors, continue to face elevated risk due to exposure to contaminated materials. Research studies have underscored heightened infection rates, notably from needle prick injuries. The present study aspires to re-evaluate the prevalence of HBV and HCV among waste collectors and to scrutinize associated risk factors, thereby contributing to the development of effective public health and occupational safety strategies. The study analyzed data from 116 Italian waste collectors who were undergoing regular occupational visits, examining demographics, health conditions, HBV immunization, and annual blood tests for the HBsAg, HBsAb, and HCVAb. The HBsAb was detected in 66 individuals (56.9%), while the HCVAb was found in 4 (3.4%). Logistic regression showed HBV immunization and longer job experience to be significant factors associated with HBsAb presence. Waste collection may increase HBV infection risk due to occupational exposure, unlike HCV, which requires blood-to-blood contact. Preventive strategies, including education, protective equipment, and HBV vaccination, are essential. Ensuring vaccination coverage among waste collectors could reduce infection risk. Further research should assess the occupational risks and the effectiveness of preventive measures. Full article

This study focuses on the energy absorption and wearer comfort attributes of regular lattice structures fabricated by laser powder bed fusion from two elastomeric materials, namely TPU1301 and TPE300, for use in personal protective equipment (PPE). This study compares Body-Centered Cubic (BCC), Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) and Kelvin (KE) lattice structures with density varying from 0.15 to 0.25 g/cm³, cell size varying from 10 to 14 mm and feature size varying from 1 to 3 mm. Quasi-static and dynamic compression testing confirmed that among the studied geometries, KE structures printed with TPE300 powders provide the best combination of reduced peak acceleration and increased compliance, thereby improving both safety and comfort. Using the protection–comfort maps built on the basis of this study enables the design of lightweight and compact protective structures. For example, if a safety layer protecting a 100 mm² surface area can be manufactured from either TPE300 or TPU1100 powders using either KE or FCC structures, the KE TPE300 layer will be 1.5 times thinner and 2.5 times lighter than its FCC TPU1301 equivalent. The results of this study thus provide a basis for the optimization of lattice structures in 3D-printed PPE to meet both service and manufacturing requirements. Full article

In response to global concerns about climate change and decarbonization across every sector, pressure has mounted on the maritime industry to reduce its environmental impacts, specifically its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing around 2.8% of the global total. As such, it prompts new alternative fuels that align with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s 2050 net-zero target. In recent years, several alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, have been proposed. However, alternative fuels face many challenges regarding cost, safety, and efficiency compared to traditional fossil fuels. Currently, methanol is considered one of the most promising alternatives since it is available, easy to store, and can take full advantage of existing infrastructure in situ. Moreover, methanol has a lower carbon intensity than conventional fossil fuels. However, its usage poses related risks of toxicity and flammability; thus, this area still needs in-depth research regarding hazard control. This study implements a systematic five-step methodology. Through a comprehensive literature review, the predominant hazards are delineated. To systematically analyze these risks, this study introduces a novel hazard-based coding system developed to categorize hazards into three classifications: toxicity, flammability, and explosivity. This system is specifically designed to analyze qualitative reports from thirty methanol accident investigations utilizing MAXQDA software. Subsequently, safety barriers related to methanol are identified, followed by a gap analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of existing safety measures. The findings indicate that physical hazards, including flammability and explosivity, represented the majority of identified risks. Furthermore, tank explosions emerged as a prominent sub-hazard, frequently linked to the highest number of reported fatalities. A gap analysis delineates the identified barriers related to Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Human Error Reduction, the Legal Framework, and First Aid, comparing them against the current measures outlined in IMO Circular 1621 and other legislative frameworks. Consequently, the analysis highlights critical gaps in technical guidelines and operational procedures related to methanol use. The study recommends the development of fuel-specific safety protocols, mandatory training for seafarers, and regulatory updates to address the unique hazards of methanol. These measures are necessary to create higher safety standards and make methanol a viable alternative fuel by ensuring its safe integration into the industry. Full article