Risk perception in the construction industry: A literature review and future research directions.

BACKGROUND: Risk perception is an intuitive risk about hazards to which people are exposed daily and is related to several factors. In the construction context, there is a need to identify and understand how risk perception is related to these factors; construction companies can implement this information to develop measures for effective risk management. OBJECTIVE: This literature review aims to identify recommendations for future research about factors that may be related to risk perception in construction workers. METHODS: We used the SPIDER tool and searched available electronic databases for the most recent research articles published on risk perception in the construction area. RESULTS: We identified main recommendations for future research: Behavior, environment and working conditions, risk assessment methods, culture, individual and demographic factors, and knowledge. CONCLUSION: Safety behavior is the primary variable of concern in studies related to risk perception in the construction area. Therefore, further research is needed to identify the factors that intervene and impact risk perception to reduce accident rates among construction industry workers.

Design and ergonomic evaluation of a new adapted endoscope holder to reduce muscle pressure and discomfort during endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgeons who regularly perform endoscopy are more likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders than other internal medicine specialists, a difference that attributed to repetitive movements, poor postures, and sub-optimal equipment design. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to design, build, and evaluate an endoscope holder for reducing the static load applied by the weight of the endoscope, in order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders risk factors in the surgeon's hand, shoulder and back issues regions. METHODS: A new endoscope holder was designed according to ergonomic design principles. The designed holder was evaluated by surface electromyography (sEMG) and discomfort assessment including 15 laparoscopic surgeons. The results were analyzed with centrality statistics and compared with the independent t-test using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The evaluation of the new endoscope holder shows a statistical significant decrease in the average electrical activity of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, lateral deltoid, T9 Thoracic erector spinae, L4 Lumbar erector spinae, and external oblique after using the holder (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results shows that using the new endoscope holder is associated with a lower level of discomfort, as well as a lower induced muscle activity. The results also highlight the need to upgrade the holder to offer rotability in all directions (perpendicular to the ground) which will be included in the next design.

Mental Health Among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic at a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

This study examines the prevalence and severity of stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic at a Hispanic-serving institution. The aim of the study is to increase knowledge about student mental health during a public health emergency in order to help develop strategies that promote student success. Using the Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4) and the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety-4 (PHQ-4), we found high levels of stress, depression, and anxiety in the sample. Based on these findings, we propose a greater investment of time and resources to promote mental health and positive coping strategies among college students through culturally competent mental health and supportive programs.

Differences in Workplace Risk Perception between Foreign-Born and First-Generation Mexican American Construction Workers.

Risk perception is used to quantify risks in the industry and is influenced by different socio-demographic variables. This work aims to determine significant differences in the risk perception between Mexican American migrants and first-generation Mexican American construction workers. This study used a sample of 112 construction workers. A guided questionnaire was applied to collect socio-demographic information. For workplace risk behaviors, we used a 21-item questionnaire adapted from the previous instrument. Each question asked the participant's perception of the frequency with which they carried out risky activities during routine work activities and the severity of the possible injuries, using a five-level Likert scale. Then, an inferential analysis was carried out using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The main results highlight that time of residence in the United States had a significant influence (p = 0.012) on risk perception in the surveyed construction workers. On the other hand, the age and time they have been working for the organization did not significantly influence risk perception. Finally, risk perception can vary in construction workers according to different variables. It is essential to investigate the factors that influence it, to prevent risky behaviors that can lead to accidents.

Determinación de rangos de movimiento del miembro superior en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios mexicanos / Determination of Range of Motion for Upper Limbs in a Sample of Mexican University Students / Determinação de Rangos de Movimento do Membro Superior em uma Amostra de Estudantes Universitários Mexicanos

Resumen Introducción: Esta investigación se realizó en la Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, en la División Multidisciplinaria de la Ciudad Universitaria, con una muestra de estudiantes del programa de Ingeniería Industrial y de Sistemas. Su objetivo fue crear una base de datos que contuviera información sobre los rangos de movimientos (ROMS) del miembro superior de una muestra de jóvenes estudiantes. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó un inclinómetro de burbuja marca Baseline® y el kit antropométrico Rosscraft®. El diseño de la investigación fue de tipo descriptivo, cuantitativo y transversal, y se tomó una muestra de 50 estudiantes; la determinación de los ROMS consistió en medir a cada uno de los participantes para, posteriormente, capturar y analizar los datos a través del software Minitab17®, para determinar medidas de tendencia central y la existencia de diferencia significativa entre los ROMS de hombres y mujeres. Resultados: Se determinó el límite de rango de movimiento para las articulaciones del codo, hombro, muñeca y antebrazo, encontrando que no existe evidencia de diferencia significativa entre los ROMS de los hombres y las mujeres del estudio, a excepción de la abducción en el hombro derecho. Conclusión: Los datos recopilados en esta investigación pueden ser utilizados para el diseño de áreas de trabajo que se adecúen a las necesidades del usuario, de forma que se evite la presencia de lesiones músculo-esqueléticas y se logre la reducción de la fatiga física en los trabajadores.

Abstract Introduction: This research was carried out at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, División Multidisciplinaria Ciudad Universitaria, with a sample of students of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Program. With the objective of creating a database containing information about the ranges of motion (ROMS) of the upper limb. Materials and Methods: Upper limb ROMS estimation was developed using a bubble inclinometer Baseline® and the Rosscraft® anthropometric kit. The design of the research was descriptive, quantitative and transversal. A sample of 50 students was taken; the determination of the ROMS consisted in measuring each of the participants and, subsequently, the data were captured and analyzed through Minitab17® software, in order to obtain measures of central tendency and the existence of significant difference between the ROMS of men and women. Results: The Range of motion limit for the elbow, shoulder, wrist and forearm joints was determined, finding that there is no evidence of a significant difference between ROMS of men and women in the study, with the exception of abduction in the right shoulder. Conclusion: The data collected in this research can be used to design workspaces that fit the needs of the user, with the aim to avoid the presence of musculoskeletal injuries and reduce physical fatigue among workers.

Resumo Introdução: Esta pesquisa se realizou na Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Divisão Multidisciplinar Cidade Universitária, com uma amostra de estudantes do programa de Engenharia Industrial e de Sistemas. Com o objetivo de criar uma base de dados que contenha informação sobre os rangos de movimentos (ROMS) do membro superior de uma amostra de jovens estudantes. Materiais e métodos: Se utilizou um inclinómetro de borbulha marca Baseline® e o kit antropométrico Rosscraft®. O desenho da pesquisa foi de tipo descritivo, quantitativo e transversal, se tomou uma amostra de 50 estudantes; a determinação dos ROMS consistiu em medir a cada um dos participantes y posteriormente os dados foram capturados e analisados através do software Minitab17®, para determinar medidas de tendência central e a existência de diferença significativa entre os ROMS de homens e mulheres. Resultados: Se determinou o limite de rango de movimento para as articulações do cotovelo, ombro, pulso e o antebraço, encontrando que não existe evidência de diferença significativa entre os ROMS dos homens e as mulheres do estudo, a excepção da abdução no ombro direito. Conclusão: Os dados compilados nesta pesquisa podem ser utilizados no desenho das áreas de trabalho que se adequem às necessidades do usuário, de forma que se evite a presença de lesões musculoesqueléticas, e consiga-se a redução da fadiga física nos trabalhadores.

Construction of a survey to assess workload and fatigue among AMT operators in Mexico.

UNLABELLED: Operators of machinery classified as Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) are exposed to high levels of workload and fatigue. However, only few studies have been conducted on this topic in Hispanic-American countries workers. Several instruments be used to assess workload and fatigue; however, only few of them have been adapted to Spanish language. This paper reports on the development and validity testing of a survey instrument in Spanish, aiming to subjectively assess workload and fatigue among AMT operators in Mexico. METHOD: After an exhaustive literature review in search of already available measurement instruments, they were adapted for content and later translated into Spanish; a pilot test was conducted to evaluate validity and reliability; afterwards appropriate modifications were made to the testing instruments. Final version of the instrument was applied to a group of 121 operators of CNC lathes. Reliability was analyzed using KMO and Cronbach alpha indices. RESULTS: For the assessment of workload, both NASA-TLX and ISTAS 21 methods were incorporated to the survey instrument. As for fatigue assessment tools, these were SOFI-S, FAS and OFER questionnaires. RESULTS show KMO value and Cronbach alpha above 0.6.Conclusions. The survey instrument as designed, allows the collection of reliable and valid data regarding workload and fatigue among AMT operators in Mexico.