National Research and Development Institute on Occupational Safety

This paper addresses the growing concern surrounding microplastic pollution, particularly within the textile industry, and the associated potential health risks linked to the inhalation and ingestion of microplastic particles. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are increasingly found not only in aquatic environments, but also in soils, air, and food. Although research on the health impacts of microplastics is still emerging, early studies indicate that these particles could contribute to health issues, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases. Notably, individuals with higher concentrations of plastics in arterial plaques are more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes. In the textile industry, synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic release microplastics into the air during production. The paper discusses a study conducted in a textile company that processes polyester yarns, where airborne microplastic concentrations were measured at various locations throughout the day. Particle sizes ranging from 0.3 nm to 10 nm were analyzed, revealing the presence of polyester polymers in the particulate matter. These findings underscore the widespread nature of microplastic pollution, particularly in industrial settings, and raise concerns about the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to airborne microplastics. While further research is necessary to fully understand the extent of these health impacts, preliminary data suggest a troubling link between microplastic inhalation and cardiovascular conditions.

The textile industry is one of the most polluting sectors, its contribution to the growing contamination with microfibers being of recent interest. Microfibers are an important part of microplastics, a real problem in our society. Textiles are dominated by synthetic fibres, generating microfibres as environmental contaminants. Exposure may also occur in the workplace, but fewer studies address this topic. Although synthetic microfibres toxicity is not fully understood, is accepted that their dimensions can influence health effects. This study analysed the length and diameter of 201 airborne polyester fibres sampled in the working environment of a textile factory. Phase contrast microscopic analysis was performed using NIOSH method 7400. Three size categories were considered for the length: small (≤ 10 μm), medium (10 - 100 μm) and large (≥ 100 μm). Four diameter categories: thin (≤ 1 μm), medium (≤ 2 μm) and thick (≤ 3 μm) were defined. Diameters over 3 microns were considered elongated microplastics. Results show that most of the fibres (93%) were less than 100 μ long (20.1% being less than 10 μ) and the fibres with 1μ diameter were predominant (42.8%) Such fibres may reach into the bronchial tree and even further, where they may cause health problems.

This study aims to highlight the similarities and differences between occupational exposure measured (personal and static) and modelled data using the Tier 2 Advanced REACH Tool (ART 1.5) for some organic solvents used in degreasing, varnishing and painting activities. The measurements were performed between 2020 and 2022 in a Romanian company manufacturing metallic components for the energy industry. The conclusion of the study will allow identifying some of the uncertainties related to the use of modelled data versus measured data, and to decide on the adequate operational conditions (OCs) and risk management measures (RMMs) to implement in place, in accordance with the hierarchy of control principles.

European legislation stipulates the obligation to carry out a risk assessment for each job, as well as the application of measures to prevent these occupational risks. Therefore, taking into account the importance of risk determination at the workplace for the prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases, this paper proposes the digitization of a risk assessment method. The application of the occupational injury and illness risk assessment method begins with a document that contains a description of the company (name, location, domain of activity, organization chart, etc.), a description of the work system detailing its components and a brief description of the assessment method. Next follows a Microsoft Excel document that performs the actual application of the method. Finally, another document presents the list of measures that lead to the implementation of the prevention and protection plan. This paper presents the code design of the Microsoft Excel document, an essential part in the application of the method of assessing the risks of occupational injury and illness. The document is structured on a variable number of worksheets, which present the different types of occupational injury and illness based on risks on the components of a work system. The digitalization of the risk assessment method reduces the time allocated to the evaluation without affecting its quality.

Considering thermal environment aspects have a major impact not only on occupational health and safety (OH&S) performance but also on the productivity and satisfaction of the workers, the aim of the case study was to assess the thermal comfort of a group of 33 workers in an automotive industry company, starting with collecting data about the thermal environment from different workplaces, continuing with the analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort using the calculation of the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) indices, according to provisions of the standard ISO 7730:2005, and comparing the results with the subjective perception of the workers revealed by applying individual questionnaires. The results of the study represent an important input element for establishing the preventive and protective measures for the analysed workplaces in correlation with the measures addressing other specific risks and, also, could serve as a model for extending and applying to other similar workplaces in future studies. Moreover, the mathematical model and the software instrument used for this study case could be used in further similar studies on larger groups of workers and in any industrial domain.

The study presents the research results on the identification of technical and safety requirements specific to work equipment made of electrical insulation materials combined with conductive elements, to guarantee safety in use. The identification of the technical and safety requirements specific to the work equipment that is provided with electrically insulating materials combined with conductive elements was carried out, taking into account the safety conditions that must be guaranteed from the design and manufacturing phase. The national technical norms for live work stipulate that the work equipment used for electrical installations must be certified from the point of view of safety and health at work. Research study shows the behavior of various electrical insulation materials combined with conductive elements under the influence of mechanical, electrical, thermal and environmental factors to verify and certify the safety function that must be guaranteed in use. The research results consist of the development of the experimentation and evaluation methodology concerning the legal regulations in force and the evaluation of compliance with the technical and safety requirements identified for work equipment that is provided with electrical insulation materials combined with conductive elements - occupational health of workers and a safe work environment.

The paper presents some results of an extended study on work conditions and mental demands in culture activities – especially for museum personnel. The study aimed to emphasize the occupational risks and nocivities and the mental (neuro-psychical) demands of activity. A complex methodology was used, including different techniques and instruments concerning the activity characteristics and the subjective assessment of the work demands as well.

There is an unprecedented pressure that both individuals and businesses endure, especially when considering changes and challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 crisis. Mindfulness seems to become an integrated part of people's lives, in the attempt to be more concentrated on their daily tasks, more focused on living in the present moment, more determined to eliminate anxiety and stress. In like manner, mindfulness in business seems to become a key solution to stronger entrepreneurship and highly successful workplace relationships. Thus, the new economy, the knowledge-based economy, centers its attention on the powerful links and opportunities that may be encountered between well-being, mental health, and mindfulness, seeking a way to create valuable mindfulness business principles, capable of producing outstanding results, empowering people, facilitating cooperation, allowing good governance, inducing corporate social responsibility, fostering community connections, enabling competitiveness, and supporting sustainability, development, and environmental balance.

In the modern, knowledge-based economy, it is believed that mastering the methods and tools for assessing intellectual capital and capitalizing on intellectual capital influence on economic performance are essential criteria. In addition, it has been prompted that the key issues specific to performance are directly related to those of intellectual capital measurement, having to respond to the challenges of a new economy and sustainable world, built through alliances not only locally, regionally, and nationally, but also internationally – only from this perspective being able to approach performance and the idea that, in time, performance will have the potential to lead to the necessary, but sinuous and difficult road, to excellence. This chapter explores this in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals.

There is an increasing trend in employing re-usable energy sources, both by industrial and private household consumers. In this work, we present measurements performed on a 40 kW photovoltaic installation mounted on a manufacturing hall. Our measurements indicate the level to which the photovoltaic installation covers the necessary electric power requirements as well as the quality specifications for the provided electrical energy. By raising the P-Q diagram we can analyze the domain where the operating point of the installation may be found. Furthermore, we give indications on how to ensure the power autonomy on the consumer’s side, by the use of accumulators that store electric power during low-sun periods.