The continuous increase of accident and incident reports has indicated the potential of drones to threaten public safety. The published regulatory framework for small drones is not visibly based on a comprehensive hazard analysis. Also, a variety in the constraints imposed by different regulatory frameworks across the globe might impede market growth and render small-drone operations even more complicated since light drones might be easily transferred and operated in various regions with diverse restrictions. In our study we applied the Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) method to small-drone operations and we generated a first set of Safety Requirements (SR) for the authority, manufacturer, end-user and automation levels. Under the scope of this paper, we reviewed 56 drone regulations published by different authorities, and performed (1) a gap analysis against the 57 SRs derived by STPA for the authority level, and (2) Intra-Class Correlations in order to examine the extent of their harmonization. The results suggest that the regulations studied satisfy 5.3% to 66.7% of the SRs, and they are moderately similar. The harmonization is even lower when considering the range of values of various SRs addressed by the authorities. The findings from the drones’ case show that regulators might not similarly and completely address hazards introduced by new technology; such a condition might affect safety and impede the distribution and use of products in the international market. A timely and harmonized standardization based on a systematic hazard analysis seems crucial for tackling the challenges stemmed from technological advancements, especially the ones available to the public.
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Particulate matter (PM) exposure, amongst others caused by emissions and industrial processes, is an important source of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. There are situations in which blue-collar workers in roadwork companies are at risk. This study investigated perceptions of risk and mitigation of employees in roadwork (construction and maintenance) companies concerning PM, as well as their views on methods to empower safety behavior, by means of a mental models approach. We held semi-structured interviews with twenty-two employees (three safety specialists, seven site managers and twelve blue-collar workers) in three different roadwork companies. We found that most workers are aware of the existence of PM and reduction methods, but that their knowledge about PM itself appears to be fragmented and incomplete. Moreover, road workers do not protect themselves consistently against PM. To improve safety instructions, we recommend focusing on health effects, reduction methods and the rationale behind them, and keeping workers’ mental models into account. We also recommend a healthy dialogue about work-related risk within the company hierarchy, to alleviate both information-related and motivation-related safety issues. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2019.06.043 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bolte-0856134/
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Despite all improvement initiatives such as the national action plan [De-]Regulate Healthcare by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in 2018 to create more time for care within the Netherlands, the administrative burden for care workers is still increasing. Managers of healthcare institutes struggle with efficiently implementing government legislations in day-to-day operations. They indicate that the time spent on administrative tasks demanded by municipalities and national authorities is too much. In addition, they also indicate that there is a lack of consistency and uniformity when it comes to the way care workers handle administrative tasks. This way of working causes additional, and often ad hoc, work in the run-up to an audit. It seems that before laws and regulations are effectively implemented, new laws or regulations again demand attention. This looks like a vicious circle, but research to confirm this is not found yet. Therefore, the following research question is formulated: "What is the impact of laws and regulations on the administrative burden with regard to the primary and supportive processes of Dutch long-term care?" An explanatory multiple case study was conducted to answer the research question. Three case studies were carried out during September 2019 to January 2020. Based on these studies, we have concluded that between 29% and 62% of the total perceived administrative burden by long-term care professionals can be related to legislation.
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Logistics represents around 10-11% of global CO2 emissions, around 75% of which come from road freight transport. ‘The European Green Deal’ is calling for drastic CO2 reduction in this sector. This requires advanced and very expensive technological innovations; i.e. re-design of vehicle units, hybridization of powertrains and automatic vehicle technology. Another promising way to reach these environmental ambitions, without excessive technological investments, is the deployment of SUPER ECO COMBI’s (SEC). SEC is the umbrella name for multiple permutations of 32 meter, 70 tons, road-train combinations that can carry the payload-equivalent of 2 normal tractor-semitrailer combinations and even 3 rigid trucks. To fully deploy a SEC into the transport system the compliance with the existing infrastructure network and safety needs to be guaranteed; i.e. to deploy a specific SEC we should be able to determine which SEC-permutation is most optimal on specific routes with respect to regulations (a.o. damage to the pavement/bridges), the dimensions of specific infrastructures (roundabouts, slopes) and safety. The complexity of a SEC compared to a regular truck (double articulation, length) means that traditional optimisation methods are not applicable. The aim of this project is therefore to develop a first methodology enabling the deployment of the optimal SEC permutation. This will help transport companies (KIEM: Ewals) and trailer manufactures (KIEM: Emons) to invest in the most suitable designs for future SEC use. Additionally the methodology will help governments to be able to admit specific SEC’s to specific routes. The knowledge gained in this project will be combined with the knowledge of the broader project ENVELOPE (NWA-IDG). This will be the start of broader research into an overall methodology of deploying optimal vehicle combinations and a new regulatory framework. The knowledge will be used in master courses on vehicle dynamics.
The "SporeSpotter" project aims to develop an advanced bacterial spore detection platform for the dairy industry. Bacterial spores pose serious health and economic risks such as from Clostridium Tyrobutyricum and Bacillus cereus species. These spores can survive standard pasteurization processes and lead to contamination in dairy products. Even a low number present can cause serious consequences. Especially, the request of Clostridial spore detection related to cheesemaking process is urgent for milk quality monitoring. The related late blowing defect caused by these spores can affect up to 10-25% of hard cheese production, resulting in significant financial losses amounting to millions of euros annually [1]. Our proposed solution integrates particle-based selection, magnetic enrichment and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) technology to detect Clostridium Tyrobutyricum spores in milk samples. This innovative approach promises a fast, simple, and accurate method for identifying low concentrations of bacterial spores, reducing detection times from days to hours. By collaborating with academic and industry partners Qlip BV, Avantes BV, Nostics BV, PE4A BV and NobleBio BV, the Applied Nanotechnology group (ANT) of Saxion will develop a proof-of-concept sensing technology that can potentially detect bacterial spore levels down to 102 CFU/ml in real milk samples, improving safety and efficiency in the dairy industry. This project is critical to meet the growing demand for rapid testing solutions in the food sector while ensuring compliance with stringent European regulations on food safety. The technology potentially could be extended to broad industrial applications in healthcare and environmental monitoring.
To meet the European Green Deal, new CO2 emission standards for Heavy-Duty-Vehicles (HDV) have been set. The amended Regulation EU-2019/1242 has a wider scope, covering not only lorries but also trailers. From 2030 on (semi-)trailers must reduce their emissions by 10%, even though trailers generally do not emit any CO2-emissions. But how can a trailer save CO2? To calculate emissions, the European Commission has developed VECTO, the Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation TOol. It is a standardized framework designed to determine fuel consumption and CO2-emissions of HDVs. Analysis show that the two main focus points for CO2 reduction, based on VECTO, are weight reduction and improved aerodynamics. However, equipping trailers with aerodynamic devices or making them lighter isn’t straightforward. Trailers lead a rough life and the industry is adapted to the current trailer designs. Lightweight constructions might harm the lifetime of a trailer and trailers with protruding aerodynamic parts won’t fit on a train anymore. Besides, both solutions have a major influence on the vehicle (roll-over) stability and therefore safety. It is not that evident for a trailer manufacturer to design a (new) trailer that 1) fulfills the CO2 regulations, 2) complies with the constructional requirements and 3) remains safe and stable. This 3-step-approach is really missing for trailer manufacturers, and this is endorsed by Burgers Carrosserie: “How can we validate (upfront) that the trailer is still as “strong” and “safe” if we apply the weight reduction that shows sufficient CO2 saving in VECTO?”. The answer was simple, it isn’t. It is the aim of Trenergy to develop this 3-step approach with complementary simulation tools, where trailer manufacturers can validate their design(s) for CO2 Savings, Construction and Safety. It is intended to make the developed models/tools open source for the Logistic Industry.
