Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology Rolando Quintana, Larry Roderick, Anil Nair, 3-14 The Effect of Protective Gloves on Manual Dexterity in the Cold Environments Qiuqing Geng, Fang Chen, Ingvar Holmér, 15-29 Torque Production Using Hand Cranks in a Simulated Gear-Operated Valve Opening Task Lawrence J. H. Schulze, Anupam Patel, Edward Stanton, Maurizio Cheli, 31-40 Small Business Owners' Knowledge of Their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Legislative Responsibilities Petra N. Fonteyn, Diana Olsberg, Jean A. Cross, 41-57 The Effectiveness of a "Break Experiment" from a Long-Term Perspective. A retrospective study of female participants' and management's conceptions of a training program for skills development in a manufacturing industry Gunnela Westlander, Birgit Pingel, 59-76 Physical Strain and Work Ergonomics in Farmers with Disabilities Nina Nevala-Puranen, Lars Sörensen, 77-88

Notes:

Safety Level of Acrobatic Work: A Probabilistic Study Jean Paureau, Jacques Marsot, 89-105

Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology
Rolando Quintana, Anil Nair, 3-14

This research introduces a proactive methodology for accident prevention, called Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology, by utilizing the principles of work sampling and control charting. Sampling is performed to observe the occurrence of conditions that may become hazardous in a given system. These conditions, known as dendritics, may become hazards and could result in an accident or occupational disease. Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology performs a random sampling for the occurrence of these dendritics. The collected data are then used to generate a control chart. Based on the pattern of the control chart, a system "under control" is not disturbed whereas a system "out of control" is investigated for potential conditions becoming hazardous. Appropriate steps are then taken to eliminate or control these conditions to maintain a desired safe system.

The Effect of Protective Gloves on Manual Dexterity in the Cold Environments
Qiuqing Geng, Fang Chen, Ingvar Holmér, 15-29

This article presents a study on the effect of different protective gloves (which are commercially available and commonly used in the cold) on manual dexterity in cold environments. The experiments compared statistically four different types of gloves and two different types of gloving (outer or double) at +19 C and -10 C. Performance was determined both objectively and subjectively using two manual dexterity tasks: bolt-nut and pick-up tasks. The response measured was the time of performing each task. Statistical analysis showed that all independent factors such as glove type, participant, object size, and temperature had significant effects on the hand cooling reaction. A significant difference in the performance between the gloves was found in the bolt-nut task. It was also found that outer-inner combination gloving may be an approach to use for precision tasks.

Torque Production Using Hand Cranks in a Simulated Gear-Operated Valve Opening Task
Lawrence J. H. Schulze, Edward Stanton, Anupam Patel, Maurizio Cheli, 31-40

Hand cranks are used in a variety of industries to actuate valves and in other gear-operated applications. In order to evaluate these types of operations and their compatibility with operator strength capabilities, a rotational dynamometer was used to measure torque production capability of operators using a hand crank at different heights and angles (with respect to the coronal plane). The tests were conducted for both clockwise and counterclockwise rotations using the dominant arm of each test participant. A total of 18 tests were completed by each of five male right-handed test participants. A 0 declination angle, counterclockwise operation and both 40.65 cm and 60.96 cm heights were found to be associated with the greatest torque production capabilities.

Small Business Owners' Knowledge of Their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Legislative Responsibilities
Petra N. Fonteyn, Diana Olsberg, Jean A. Cross, 41-57

This article reports the results of a study investigating the nature and extent of small manufacturing business owners' knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues. Interviews were conducted with 33 owners of small manufacturing businesses in Sydney, Australia. Results showed that whereas the majority of owners had basic awareness of the existence of OHS legislation, they were often unaware about the extent of their legal OHS responsibilities. Owners were found to have minimal OHS training and practical OHS expertise. Lack of appropriate industry specific OHS information was found to be a major factor that inhibited the owners' ability to deal with OHS issues effectively.

The Effectiveness of a "Break Experiment" from a Long-Term Perspective. A retrospective study of female participants' and management's conceptions of a training program for skills development in a manufacturing industry
Gunnela Westlander, Birgit Pingel, 59-76

The study reports the results of a follow-up evaluation, conducted in 1994, of the impact of a training program for female unskilled metal workers that was implemented at the end of the 1970s. The program was designed to promote occupational skills development, and was first evaluated in 1979. On both occasions of evaluation the investment in training was examined from two perspectives, those of the training participants and management. Data were collected through semistructured personal interviews with key members of personnel management and through a group conversation session with a majority of the original course attendees. Supplementary background information was obtained from documents and records maintained by the organization. At some points, there was a convergence of views on the significance of the training program for occupational skills development, at others a divergence. These convergences and divergences are finally discussed and the findings of the study are related to other research on this particular kind of intervention.

Physical Strain and Work Ergonomics in Farmers with Disabilities
Nina Nevala-Puranen, Lars Sörensen, 77-88

In agriculture, occupational injuries are common, and several of them lead to permanent physical disability. The objective of this case study was to assess the strain and the ergonomic needs of four farmers (aged 34-49 years) with physical disabilities. A maximal bicycle ergometer test or an arm-crank test was done to assess their maximal heart rate (HRmax) and maximal oxygen consumption VO2max. The strain at work was analyzed by measuring heart rate (HR), muscle activity (EMG) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The farmers were interviewed as to possible and impossible work tasks and the ergonomic redesign measures taken to improve the work environment. The work tasks performed were mainly light or moderate work for the cardiorespiratory system according to mean HR (88-102 beats/min), the percentage of HR range (17-31% HRR), and the relative VO2 (22 46% VO2max). The mean activity of the trapezius muscles was 0.4-9% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVC). All the participants had work tasks they were unable to perform. They had made ergonomic redesign changes mainly in the tractor. This case study showed that some agricultural work tasks were possible for farmers with physical disabilities and that the physical strain associated with these tasks was comparable with the strain of healthy farmers.