Assessment of the occupational risk related to exposition to natural ultraviolet radiation
Agnieszka Wolska, Agata Latała

In Poland natural UVR is very intensive in the spring and summer. Constant exposure to UVR can cause skin and eye diseases (including cancer). That is why it is very important to assess risk posed by UVR and to take preventive measures. This article presents the results of measurements of workers'''' exposure to natural UVR as well as a method and criteria of occupational risk assessment. The criteria and the method have been worked out by these authors. This method makes it possible for employers to asses risk without measuring UVR at the workstations every day. Hopefully it will help employers to reduce risk posed by natural UVR and will increase workers’ awareness of UVR-related hazards.

Road aggression - an underestimated hazard
Katarzyna Grunt-Mejer, Jacek Grunt-Mejer

This article presents a topic rarely undertaken in Polish writing, namely driving aggression in its three dimensions: aggressive driving, anger while driving and road rage. The scale of the phenomenon in Poland and in the world is presented, as well as an array of the factors, both individual and environmental, responsible for the level of aggression. Preventive techniques aimed at reducing anger and mitigating difficult situations on the road are also discussed.

Neurological occupational diseases in Poland
Paweł Gać, Marta Waliszewska-Prosół, Rafał Poręba, Marcin Zawadzki, Krystyna Pawlas

In recent years the significance of neurological occupational diseases (especially work-related chronic diseases of the peripheral nervous system) has been growing. The total number of diagnosed occupational diseases in 2003-2008 decreased by 18.8%. The biggest decrease in the number of diagnosed occupational diseases took place in 2003-2006. However, the number of diagnosed chronic occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system in the same period increased by 79.8%. That is why this article discusses the problem of occupational diseases of the peripheral nervous system.

Assessment of local thermal discomfort in offices
Anna Bogdan

This article presents information on local thermal discomfort and methods of evaluating it in accordance with EN ISO 7730:2006. While usually this aspect is neglected in studies of the working environment, it should be considered because thermal discomfort is a very serious problem that is too frequent in office workspace. The problem of thermal discomfort can be relatively easily solved.

Occupational Safety and Health of temporary workers - de lege ferenda remarks
Barbara Krzyśków

This article describes some aspects of temporary work organization, covering first and foremost the ones requiring changes in the rules of law or a discussion of such changes (Latin de lege ferenda – “on the bill of law that is about to be passed”). The conclusions on changes in acts of law related to temporary occupation, in connection with occupational safety and health only, prove that some changes will be made in other areas of law to improve such employment to provide better security to workers.

Resistance of protective materials to chemical substances - research methodology
Sylwia Krzemińska

This paper presents the requirements for barrier materials used in the production of clothing, gloves and boots protecting against permeation by chemical substances. It also discusses the problem of protective materials maintaining their properties under multiple contact conditions, which simulate exposure to chemicals more accurately.

TestMaker - software for creating computer tests
Artur Sychowicz, Andrzej Biernacki, Małgorzata Suchecka

TestMaker software, developed in CIOP-PIB, is a modern, user-friendly tool for creating, classifying and modifying test items and whole tests. TestMaker also assists in creating various types of test items (multiple choice tests, graphic tests, etc.) and in generating their forms both as print-outs and standalone multimedia apps for PCs. The program is universal, so it can be used in any area of training or teaching.

Ultrasonic noise at workstations with machinery and devices with air compression
Bożena Smagowska

This article presents measurements and assessment of noise at workstations with vulcanization presses, machines used for cutting and tearing off gaskets, screen printing mask dryers and workstations where printed circuit boards and cuvettes are cleaned. It also makes recommendations for noise reduction near aerodynamic sources, such as workstations where machinery and devices with air compression are located. The results of measurements and assessment of occupational exposure to ultrasonic noise at selected workstations have shown that the highest values of MAI (maximum admissible intensities) occur in the 1/3 octave band with the central frequency of 10 kHz, 12.5 kHz and 16 kHz.