Use of construction and demolition solid wastes for basket gabion filling.

Construction and demolition wastes have been studied by technical means aiming at the development of management tools to reduce their environmental impacts. Among these, recycling can be highlighted. This paper aims at the technical assessment of basket gabions filled with construction and demolition solid waste. Gabions are usually used for retaining walls construction, and these are commonly filled with rocks. Retaining walls are essential for earthfill slopes stabilization, and they must have proper characteristics of strength. However, depending on the slope height or the technical responsibility of the retaining wall, alternative materials with proper characteristics could be used to fill the gabions. The use of recycled material for gabion filling could reduce environmental impacts and costs caused by retaining wall construction. So, basket gabion cells were filled with construction solid waste and basaltic rocks, both crushed into coarse granulometry aiming to compare technical characteristics among them. The performed laboratory tests showed that the horizontal and vertical displacements determined for gabion filled with wastes were near to those obtained for gabions filled with basaltic rocks for a retaining wall of 5 m and up. In conclusion, it can be drawn that basket gabions filled with construction and demolition waste may be a technical alternative for civil construction, reducing environmental impacts and raw material consumption for retaining wall execution.

Field assessment of active BSE: Trends over test days of subjective indicators and self-reported fatigue for railway construction workers.

The research community has conducted several controlled "in -lab" assessments on the effectiveness of industrial exoskeletons, paving the way for their adoption. However, field testing, focusing on ergonomics and the user experience, could serve to enhance both end-users' awareness and address open doubts concerning true effectiveness of industrial exoskeletons. This study presents an analysis of qualitative data regarding the use of back-support exoskeletons during field trials in harsh civil engineering environments. This work evaluates the StreamEXO's (an active back-support exoskeleton) efficacy in reducing fatigue and the evolution of its perceived usefulness. This is achieved using qualitative data collection tools, during real scenarios testing over multiple-day trials. Collected data shows a positive correlation between self-reported fatigue, measured on a four verbal anchors-based Borg CR10 scale, and the use of the exoskeleton during physically demanding movements. Moreover, the evolution of scores throughout the testing sessions (90 minutes of exoskeleton use for three nonconsecutive days) suggests a trend due to the adaptation and learning curve of workers during the exoskeleton experience. The analysis of the open-ended answers highlights that the adaptation to physical interaction has a negative oscillation on day two to rise back during the third day, possibly correlated to a change in muscle pattern. The main critical factors affecting comfort during the exoskeleton experience are weight balance, body pressure, and thermal comfort, which can strongly affect device acceptance.

The Use of Sargassum spp. Ashes Like a Raw Material for Mortar Production: Composite Performance and Environmental Outlook.

The accumulation of brown algae from the genus Sargassum has been increasing over the years in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Africa, Brazil, and Mexico. This causes harmful effects to the ecosystem, human health, the economy, and the climate due to gas emissions from its decomposition process. There is the possibility of this biomass being reused in civil construction, and some studies have been carried out on its application to common Portland cement mortar. As such, the objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of sargassum ash as a mineral addition to partially replace fine aggregates in Portland cement mortar. Characterization of the raw materials was carried out through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, loss on ignition, particle size distribution, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, real density, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and dispersion spectroscopy of electrons. The mortars were prepared by partially replacing the fine aggregate (sand) with sargassum ash at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%. Mortar performance was evaluated through water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent specific mass, and compressive strength 7, 28, and 63 days after curing. Lastly, a life cycle assessment was conducted in accordance with ISO standards 14040:2006 and 14044:2006. The results showed that replacing sand with sargassum ash increases water absorption and apparent porosity, and decreases the apparent specific mass and compressive strength as replacement increases. Nevertheless, the compressive strength results after 63 days for 5 and 10% replacement did not differ statistically from reference values. The life cycle assessment indicated that mortars with partial replacement of sand by sargassum ash show positive environmental impacts when compared to reference values for most categories, regardless of the scenario analyzed, especially for mortar with 10% replacement. As such, the use of sargassum ash at 10% does not alter the mortar's compressive strength values after 63 days, but does reduce its environmental impact. The application of this biomass in civil construction materials provides a destination for this algae, and that can be a solution to mitigate the social, environmental, and economic problems it has been causing.

Environmentally friendly concrete block production: valorization of civil construction and chemical industry waste.

In the present work, a study was carried out on the dosage of wastes from the chemical industry (tannery sludge) and civil construction (concrete and plaster) in mixtures used in concrete blocks' production. The objective was the application of these blocks in paving. The characterization of the materials used was performed employing X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The effect of the different residues on the blocks' properties was evaluated through compressive strength, flexion-traction, water absorption, abrasion resistance, and leaching tests. The results indicated that the concrete paving blocks produced with the addition of residues did not obtain gains in the values of mechanical resistance to compression and traction in bending compared to blocks made with standard raw material. However, the blocks produced with construction waste presented satisfactory results for application in street paving after 7 days of concrete curing, reaching values between 36.54 and 44.6 MPa for the mentioned properties. These values also increased to 21.4% within 28 days of curing. The blocks produced with plaster showed values between 37.03 and 39.85 MPa after 28 days of curing, allowing their use for street paving. On the other hand, the blocks containing residues from the chemical industry had lower strengths, reaching a maximum of 29.36 MPa after 28 days of curing. In addition, it was also noted that the blocks produced with recycled concrete showed an improvement in performance for a composition of 50% recycled material.

Bibliometric and systemic review of the state of the art of occupational risk management in the construction industry.

Objectives. The objective of this study is to use bibliometric and systemic terms to select and analyze a set of articles dealing with occupational risk management in the civil construction industry. Methods. Knowledge development process - constructivist (ProKnow-C) methodology was used as an intervention instrument to guide the selection of the bibliographic portfolio and to support systemic analysis. Results. The bibliographic portfolio was created and included 20 articles. Bibliometric highlights were relevant articles, authors, countries of origin, journals and keywords. Systemic analysis showed opportunities to contribute to the state of the art in all areas of knowledge, enabling the researcher to understand theoretical bases, gaps and research opportunities for the theme and thus establish their research question in accordance with the established knowledge vision. Conclusions. The systemic analysis of each article in the bibliographic portfolio based on the decision support model and areas of knowledge present in each stage of its construction measures the amplitude of the knowledge at each stage, and therefore the completeness of or gaps in each article. This clarifies the overall state of and gaps in the field, showing opportunities for new research.

Performance Analysis of High-Performance Concrete Materials in Civil Construction.

This paper develops the mechanical and durable samples of C50 high-performance concrete, studies the mechanical properties, crack resistance, sulfate attack resistance, frost resistance, and impermeability of concrete with different mineral admixtures of mineral powder and fly ash, and obtains the best mineral admixture of mineral powder and fly ash to improve the performance of high-performance concrete. The results show that the doping effect is the best when the ratio of prepared mineral powder to fly ash is 3:2. With the increase in the mineral powder-fly ash admixture, the slump and expansion of high-performance concrete decrease rapidly at first and then slowly. In total, 60% doping is the turning point; the compressive and flexural strengths of concrete decreased slowly at first and then rapidly. Taking 30% of the admixture as the turning point, 35% of the mineral powder fly ash is generally selected. By mixing and adding a certain proportion of fly ash and mineral powder admixtures, the crack resistance of concrete is enhanced, and the shrinkage and cracking are reduced. The corrosion resistance coefficient will exceed 88%, the relative dynamic elastic modulus will exceed 95%, and the impermeability grade will reach P17. The durability of concrete can be improved by adding mineral admixtures.

Synthesis, Application and Effect of Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Hydrogel and Nanoclay in Cement-Mortars.

Hybrid nanocomposite hydrogels, as admixtures for internal curing of cementitious materials, have been widely studied. This study analyzes the effect of applying 0.5% (wt/wt cement) of pre-soaked hydrogels based on polyacrylamide, carboxymethylcellulose, and three different concentrations of Cloisite-Na+ (0, 10, and 20% wt/wt) on the fresh and hardened properties of cementitious mortars. In general, all mortars with hydrogel decreased the consistency index, mainly M20, due to the high concentration of Cloisite-Na+ that modifies the release kinect of the hydrogel. The results showed a slight variation, with an overall average value of 99% water retention in all mortars. This behavior is due to the portion of hydrogel-mortars dosage water retained to reduce the availability of free water in the mixture because this amount of water is stored, a priori, within the polymer particles. At 28 d, the mortars produced with hydrogels containing 20% of nanoclay (M20) exhibit mechanical behavior similar to the reference mortar (M), which corroborates the percentage of voids found. Scanning electron microscope images confirm that the M and M20 mortars are uniform and possess few pores or microcracks. Thus, these hybrid hydrogels have the potential to be innovative materials for water control improvements in cementitious materials technology.

Manufacture and Characterization of Polypropylene (PP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Blocks for Potential Use as Masonry Component in Civil Construction.

The lack of suitable destinations for plastics materials can be a global environmental problem. The alternative use of materials for sustainable construction encourages the standardization of waste and promotes effective social, environmental and economic gains at the local level and ensures savings and income for communities. The aim of this paper is the development, manufacture, and characterization of PP and HDPE recycled polyolefin blocks as masonry components in civil construction. These blocks were manufactured by the rotational molding process. Besides this, the mechanical, physical, impact and flammability properties of the blocks were studied. In conclusion, HDPE showed better behavior than PP in tests realized.

Factors influencing temporary wood waste generation in high-rise building construction.

In Brazil, the use of wood in construction is primarily temporary, and it can represent a great percentage of construction waste. It is typically discarded with minimal reuse or recycling. As landfill wood disposal could result in methane emissions and/or leaching of hazardous constituents polluting water or soil, the implementation of temporary wood waste reduction strategies must be a critical issue for local construction companies. To manage and control wood waste generation, including setting some reduction goals, it is necessary to identify the influencing factors and ways to quantitatively predict their relative contributions. This study uses a multiple regression statistical model to estimate the amount of temporary wood waste generated in the construction of high-rise buildings by considering the influencing factors related to the design/construction as well as site and safety installations. The case study includes 22 high-rise residential buildings. The regression model predicted approximately 89% of the factors involved in the generation of wood waste in similar constructions. The dependent variables that had an influence on the amount of wood waste are related to design features ('number of floors'), structural construction system ('in situ moulded concrete volume'), and site and safety installations ('site wood fence' and 'wood use rate'). Ways of minimising wood waste generation and the contributions of each type of temporary wood use were discussed.

Absenteeism of people with disabilities in the construction industry in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The employment rates of people with disabilities (PWDs) are lower than the general population in many countries because of several factors, including prejudices about labour production and absenteeism of these workers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the research was to evaluate the absenteeism of PWDs in the construction industry in the metropolitan area of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: Study participants were workers with disabilities that performed jobs at the work sites in the construction industry. Participants were interviewed and they answered the Work Limitation Questionnaire (WLQ). In order to compare the absenteeism of people with disabilities and without disabilities, the companies provided real absenteeism data. RESULTS: Twenty-five workers with disabilities participated in the study, of which 32% were laborers and 72% had physical disabilities. The companies made accommodations for 56% of PWDs and all of them were the organizational type. The WLQ summed score of the PWDs was 3.16. The mean absenteeism of the PWDs was 19.00% ±1.22 standard deviation (SD) (p = 0.238) higher in relation to workers without disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the workers with disabilities had lower absenteeism than those without disability, however, the mean absenteeism of PWDs was higher in relation to workers without disabilities. In addition, workers higher educational level, the laborer of auxiliary warehouse, the workers for whom the companies have not made accommodations to the workplace and the higher WLQ summed score lower statistically significantly absenteeism in relation to workers without disabilities.

Lutas operárias da Construção Civil no COMPERJ: questões para a ação sindical e a saúde dos trabalhadores / Civil Construction workers' struggles at COMPERJ: issues for union action and occupational health

Resumo O Complexo Petroquímico do Rio de Janeiro é uma das maiores obras da construção civil pesada no Brasil. Em 2014, foi realizada uma grande greve por melhorias nas condições de trabalho que expôs diferentes perspectivas acerca da representação dos trabalhadores e por motivo sindical. Este estudo analisa os sentidos postos pelos modos de ação operária e sindical em suas implicações à defesa coletiva da saúde nesta experiência grevista. Realizou-se uma pesquisa social de caráter qualitativo, lançando mão de técnicas de investigação como observação participante, levantamento documental e entrevistas com trabalhadores e dirigentes sindicais. Nos resultados, produziu-se uma breve reconstrução dessas lutas sob a perspectiva dos trabalhadores analisando as pautas de greve e a organização, mobilizações e tensões presentes entre trabalhadores de base e o sindicato da categoria. Ressaltou-se a formação de uma Comissão de Base, por decisão dos próprios operários, na tentativa de atuar de maneira autônoma ao sindicato oficial. Constatou-se diferentes respostas do Estado, empresas e sindicato representativo como forma de desarticular a luta dos trabalhadores. Ao fim, verificou-se luta para melhoria das condições de trabalho e defesa coletiva da saúde, por parte das organizações de trabalhadores nos locais de trabalho.

Abstract The Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex is one of the most significant heavy civil construction projects in Brazil. In 2014, we witnessed a significant strike for improved working conditions, which exposed different perspectives on workers and union representation. This study analyzes the meanings exposed by worker and union action in their implications for the collective defense of health in this strike experience. Qualitative social research employed investigation techniques such as participant observation, documentary survey, and interviews with workers and union leaders. The results produced a brief reconstruction of these struggles from the workers' perspective, analyzing the strike agendas such as the organization, mobilizations, and tensions between base workers and the union representing the category. Noteworthy was establishing a Base Commission decided by the very workers to act independently from the official union. We observed different responses from the State, companies, and the representative union to stifle the workers' struggle. Finally, we identified a struggle for improved working conditions and the collective defense of health by workers' organizations in the workplace.

Perspectiva do gestor frente ao alcoolismo no contexto laboral da construção civil / Managerial perspectives on alcoholism amongst construction workers / Perspectiva del gestor sobre el alcoholismo en el contexto laboral de la construcción civil

O uso de bebidas alcoólicas é um problema de saúde pública que afeta, sobremaneira, a permanência e o desempenho de indivíduos no campo profissional. Diante dessa realidade, este trabalho objetivou analisar como os gestores atuam diante de contextos organizacionais em que há colaboradores alcoolistas. Para tanto se estudou, especificamente, os profissionais da construção civil no município de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Metodologicamente realizou-se um estudo descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa e de corte transversal, aplicando-se questionários a 50 gestores de empresas do ramo. Os resultados demonstraram que, na perspectiva dos gestores, o consumo abusivo de álcool é uma doença e os casos nesse contexto laboral demonstraram a necessidade de ações internas destinadas ao uso consciente de bebidas alcoólicas. Portanto, os participantes da pesquisa consideraram o espaço laboral apropriado para a promoção de práticas preventivas; que, no entanto, acabam não sendo efetivadas.

As alcoholic beverage consumption represents an important public health issue, and is strongly tied to poor performance and permanence of individuals in professional fields, the present study's authors sought to analyse how managers act in the face of organizational contexts in which alcoholic employees are present. Professionals in civil construction from the municipality of Passo Fundo, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were specifically targeted for study. Through a quantitative and cross-sectional approach, a descriptive study was carried out by applying questionnaires to 50 managers of companies in the industry. From the managers' perspective, alcohol abuse is a disease. Cases in this work context demonstrate the need for internal actions aimed at limiting the conscious use of alcoholic beverages. While respondents considered the workplace to be an appropriate place to promote preventative measures against alcoholism, this was largely not carried out in practice.

El consumo de bebidas alcohólicas es un problema de salud pública que afecta, fuertemente, el desempeño y permanencia de las personas en el campo profesional. Frente a esta realidad, este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar cómo actúan los gestores en contextos organizacionales en los que hay empleados alcohólicos. Para ello, se estudiaron, específicamente, los profesionales de la construcción civil en el municipio de Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Metodológicamente, se realizó un estudio descriptivo, con un enfoque cuantitativo y de corte transversal, aplicando cuestionarios a 50 gestores de empresas del ramo. Los resultados mostraron que, desde la perspectiva de los gestores, el consumo abusivo de alcohol es una enfermedad y los casos en este contexto laboral evidencian la necesidad de acciones internas orientadas al uso consciente de bebidas alcohólicas. Por tanto, los participantes de la investigación consideraron el espacio de trabajo adecuado para la promoción de prácticas preventivas; que, sin embargo, acaban no llevándose a cabo.

Alternative construction and demolition (C&D) waste characterization method proposal / Proposta de método alternativo para identificação da composição de resíduos de construção civil (RCC)

ABSTRACT Construction and demolition waste generally represents the majority of solid waste generated in Brazilian cities, and characterization of this waste stream is still incipient. Therefore, to support managers in the process in the diagnostic phase, this study consisted in a proposal qualitative characterization method in field, that use of construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation indicators. For this, a survey which have been divided in two stages: quantitative characterization based on a three-indicator-analysis of C&D waste generation and qualitative characterization consists of an image analysis procedure on C&D waste samples. The qualitative characterization method has proved to be efficient for samples with high-volume parts. However, this method is limited to represent characterizations that contain residues which might cover the other C&D waste types, for example, plastic sheeting, cardboard and packaging. This method of image analysis is suitable for use in early diagnostics, which require fast results about C&D waste composition.

RESUMO Os resíduos da construção civil podem representar a maior parte dos resíduos sólidos gerados nos municípios, e o conhecimento de sua composição ainda é limitado. Para apoiar gestores na fase de diagnóstico desses resíduos, este estudo propõe um método de campo que forneça a sua caracterização qualitativa apoiado em indicadores de geração. Para tanto, a pesquisa foi dividida em duas etapas: caracterização quantitativa baseada na análise de três indicadores de geração de resíduos da construção civil; e caracterização qualitativa, que consistiu em um procedimento de análise de imagem de amostras de resíduos da construção civil. O método de caracterização qualitativa provou ser eficiente para amostras volumosas. No entanto, esse método foi considerado limitado para representar caracterizações que contêm resíduos que podem abranger outros tipos de resíduos de construção civil, a exemplo de plásticos, papelão e embalagens. O método de análise de imagem mostrou-se adequado para uso em diagnósticos preliminares, os quais exigem resultados rápidos sobre a composição dos resíduos da construção civil.

Trabalho e saúde nas lutas dos operários da construção civil do Complexo Petroquímico do Rio de Janeiro / Work and Health in the struggles of the construction workers of Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex

Resumo Introdução: o Complexo Petroquímico do Rio de Janeiro (Comperj) é uma das maiores obras da construção civil pesada no Brasil. A obra constitui-se em cenário de lutas operárias que expressam conflitos das relações de trabalho com implicações na saúde dos trabalhadores. Objetivo: analisar o trabalho e a saúde dos operários da construção civil do Comperj a partir da perspectiva dos trabalhadores, tendo por referência suas lutas e greves. Métodos: pesquisa social de caráter qualitativo com observação participante, levantamento documental e entrevistas com trabalhadores e dirigentes sindicais. Resultados: as práticas de exploração constatadas nos canteiros de obras foram analisadas sob três categorias: terceirização e a saúde dos trabalhadores, prolongamento do tempo de trabalho e gestão por estresse. Conclusão: considerados em conjunto, os resultados representam uma contínua imposição de agravos à saúde dos trabalhadores da construção civil. Nesse contexto, a luta coletiva dos trabalhadores constitui uma condição básica para a proteção à saúde dos trabalhadores.

Abstract Introduction: Rio de Janeiro Petrochemical Complex (Comperj) is one of the largest heavy construction in Brazil. It has constituted a scenario of workers' struggles that express conflicts of labor relations with implications on workers' health. Objective: to analyze the work and health of Comperj's construction workers from their perspective, adopting as reference their struggles and strikes. Methods: qualitative social research with participant observation, documentary survey and workers and union leaders' interviews. Results: the exploration practices observed in the workplaces were analyzed in three categories: outsourcing and workers' health, extension of working time and management by stress. Conclusion: taken together, the results represent a continuous imposition of damages on the construction workers' health. In this context, the workers' collective struggle constitutes a basic condition for the protection of workers' health.

Monitoramento da radioatividade alfa relacionada ao radônio-222 em águas de poços da região metropolitana de Curitiba (PR) / Alpha radioactivity monitoring related to radon-222 in water from wells in metropolitan area of Curitiba (PR), Brazil

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os níveis de concentração de radônio 222Rn em águas de poços da região metropolitana de Curitiba, Paraná. O trabalho apresenta os resultados das concentrações das medidas feitas em águas de poços da região. As concentrações de 222Rn nas amostras das águas de poços foram medidas por meio do monitor de radônio AlphaGUARD. Os cálculos das concentrações de atividade iniciais de radônio na água foram feitos a partir da curva de decaimento do 222Rn e do equilíbrio secular entre o 222Rn e o 226Ra, observados depois de 30 dias. Os resultados indicaram que cerca de 70% dos valores das concentrações de 222Rn ficaram acima do valor recomendado pela USEPA, de 11,1 Bq.L-1, representando risco radiológico causado por este radionuclídeo. O estudo de caso apresentado mostrou que medidas prévias de radônio são recomendadas para que um projeto de construção seja implementado. No caso em questão, observa-se que as concentrações de radônio diminuem cerca de 56% na primeira caixa d'água e 83% na segunda em relação ao poço. Esse fato mostra que as ações para mitigação de radônio são viáveis e não exigem grandes modificações nos sistemas usuais da construção civil.

This research objective was to assess the level of randon-222 concentration in well water of the metropolitan region of Curitiba, Paraná. Current work presents the results of indoor 222Rn activity ground water samples from artesian wells from aquifers of the region. The studies of radon activity in water were performed using the radon detector AlphaGUARD. The calculations of initial radon activity in water were done considering the 222Rn decay correction as well as equilibrium level of 222Rn and 226Ra observed after 30 days of measurements. Obtained results show that about 70% of measured activity levels of 222Rn are higher than the recommended value of 11.1 Bq.L-1, which represent the risk for the human health associated with this radionuclide. The case study showed that previous measurements of radon are recommended for a construction project is implemented. In this case, it is observed that the radon concentrations decrease about 56% in the first water tank and 83% in the second water tank over the well. This fact shows that the actions for mitigation of radon are viable and do not require major modifications to the usual systems of construction.

Urinary lithiasis in civil construction workers as a management indicator for health and improvement in personnel / Litíase urinária em trabalhadores da construção civil como indicador para a gestão em saúde e melhoria na gestão de pessoas

Introduction: Empirical information provided by health care professionals acting in the first line of care report a constant increase in the number of civil construction workers that present painful acute conditions, in most cases associated with the existence of urinary tract calculi. Aims: Evaluating the prevalence of urinary lithiasis in civil construction workers, as a means to identify indicators for the management of health and personnel. Methods: Observational study based on directed questionnaire. Results: From the 94 participants, 18 (19%) were lithiasic, mostly due to overweight and reduced fluid intake. Conclusion: The observed prevalence appeared to be two times greater than that of the general population. Thus, prevention for such condition gains relevance, in order to avoid discomfort for the worker, and also reduce costs due to absenteeism, improving productivity, benefiting the workers by performance and creating the perspective of an improved quality of life.

Informações empíricas fornecidas por profissionais de saúde que atuam no setor de pronto atendimento relatam aumento constante do número de trabalhadores da construção civil que apresentam quadros dolorosos agudos, na sua maioria associados à presença de cálculos no trato urinário. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a prevalência de litíase urinária em funcionários da construção civil, buscando identificar indicadores para a gestão em saúde e de pessoas. Método: Estudo observacional realizado com a aplicação de um questionário direcionado. Dos 94 participantes, 18 (19%) eram litiásicos, fato este associado principalmente ao sobrepeso e à reduzida ingestão hídrica. A prevalência observada mostrou-se o do dobro da população em geral. Desta forma, é importante prevenir os riscos desta condição, evitando assim o desconforto do trabalhador, reduzindo os custos do SUS com o tratamento e também os das empresas com o absenteísmo, gerando melhoria na produtividade, beneficiando o empregado pelo desempenho e criando perspectiva na melhoria da qualidade de vida.

Precarização do trabalho e risco de acidentes na construção civil: um estudo com base na Análise Coletiva do Trabalho (ACT) / Work precariousness and risk of accidents in civil construction: a study based on the Collective Work Analysis

Este artigo descreve a atividade e a percepção dos trabalhadores da construção civil sobre os riscos e a carga de trabalho. O estudo, com base na Análise Coletiva de Trabalho (ACT), é parte de pesquisa em políticas públicas para aprimoramento do Sistema de Vigilância em Acidentes de Trabalho (SIVAT) de Piracicaba-SP. Priorizou-se a construção civil pela magnitude epidemiológica de ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho e a baixa eficácia das ações tradicionais de vigilância pelas características de informalidade, terceirização e rotatividade do setor. Os trabalhadores revelaram elevada percepção dos riscos de acidentes e que as medidas de segurança dificultam ou impedem a realização do trabalho. Os achados questionam a eficácia dos treinamentos para adesão às medidas de segurança e evidenciam a necessidade de uma pedagogia transformadora nas ações de promoção da saúde e prevenção dos acidentes de trabalho.

Acidentes de trabalho fatais e desproteção social na indústria da construção civil do Rio de Janeiro / Fatal work accidents and lack of social protection at the civil construction industry in Rio de Janeiro

O estudo teve como objetivo descrever os acidentes de trabalho ocorridos entre os trabalhadores do regime jurídico único e celetista. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo utilizando como fonte de dados a estatística anual do Setor de Ocorrência de Acidentes de Trabalho de uma universidade pública federal, localizada no interior do estado de Minas Gerais. Os dados foram coletados no período entre 2000 e 2005, quando foram notificados 1.008 acidentes de trabalho. A maioria ocorreu no hospital universitário, entre trabalhadores de enfermagem (69,94%), no contato com material perfurocortante e exposição de mucosa e pele (60,32%). As partes mais atingidas do corpo foram os membros superiores (61,14%) e, como conseqüência, 18,07% das pessoas foram afastadas do trabalho. Os resultados demonstram que a maior parte dos acidentes foi registrada como decorrente de falha pessoal (85%), o que indica a necessidade de serem implementados novos métodos de análise de acidentes de trabalho para investigar suas reais causas.

The current research aims at characterizing work related accidents among workers under the Brazilian legal labor system for private and public organizations. The study was based on database (years 2000 to 2005) from an annual publication on work accidents issued by a Brazilian public university located in the country side of the state of Minas Gerais. During the above mentioned period there were 1,008 reported work related accidents. Most of them happened at the University Hospital, among the nursing staff (69.94%), in contact with sharp-edged materialand mucouse and skin exposition (60.32%). The most affected parts of the body were the superior limbs (61.14%). As a consequence, 18.07% of the workers were unable to continue working. The results indicated that most of the accidents were registered as personal errors (85%), what indicates the necessity to implement new methods on work accident analysis to investigate their real causes.

Representações do trabalho informal e dos riscos à saúde entre trabalhadoras domésticas e trabalhadores da construção civil / Representations of informal jobs and health risks among housemaids and construction workers

Nas últimas décadas, o mercado de trabalho no Brasil tem apresentado um aumento de trabalhadores não registrados. Trabalhadores informais, além de remunerações abaixo do mínimo legal, não contam com seguridade social, e medidas de prevenção de riscos. Este estudo teve por objetivo a análise das representações e percepções sobre a informalidade do contrato de trabalho e dos riscos à saúde entre trabalhadores informais acidentados. A pesquisa foi qualitativa, baseada em entrevistas em profundidade realizadas com dezessete trabalhadores, nove trabalhadoras domésticas e oito operários da construção civil. Observou-se que os trabalhadores reconhecem a importância do trabalho formal, principalmente pela garantia dos direitos trabalhistas, apontando a desvalorização simbólica do trabalho informal com repercussão em sua auto-estima. Ambos os grupos tenderam a minimizar os riscos de acidentes de trabalho, e não associaram o trabalho informal a maior risco de acidentes ou doenças. Identificou-se a necessidade sentida de formalização dos vínculos de trabalho pelos trabalhadores. Os resultados do estudo demonstram a necessidade de maior divulgação e discussão dos direitos trabalhistas e da construção de políticas públicas que contemplem a segurança e saúde destes trabalhadores.

During the past few decades, the Brazilian labor market has been characterized by an increase of unregistered workers, earning lower wages, not covered by social insurance or occupational risk prevention programs. This study describes the representations and perceptions about informal work contracts and job-related health risks, analyzed in a group of injured unregistered workers. This was a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews carried out with seventeen laborers, nine housemaids and eight construction workers. The findings indicate that workers recognize the importance of formal jobs, mainly because of legal guarantees of labor rights, mentioning the symbolic downgrading of informal jobs that undermines their self-esteem. Both work groups tended to minimize occupational health risks in the work environment, and did not recognize associations between informal job contracts and occupational accidents or diseases. It was clear that workers want to have job contracts. The findings of the study demonstrate the need for broader dissemination and discussion about labor rights and the construction of public policies that encompass health and safety programs for these workers.