Work-site musculoskeletal pain risk estimates by trained observers - a prospective cohort study

Work-related musculoskeletal pain (MSP) risk assessments by trained observers are often used in ergonomic practice; however, the validity may be questionable. We investigated the predictive value of work-site MSP risk estimates in a prospective cohort study of 1745 workers. Trained observers estimated the risk of MSP (neck, shoulder or low-back...

Integrated workflow for computer assisted history matching on a channelized reservoir

Increasingly computer assisted techniques are used for history matching reservoir models. Such methods will become indispensable in view of the increasing amount of information generated by intelligent wells, in which case manual interpretation becomes too time consuming. Also, with the increasing possibilities for controlling a reservoir, a...

Maintenance implications of critical components in ITER CXRS upper port plug design

Already in the early phase of a design for ITER, the maintenance aspects should be taken into account, since they might have serious implications. This paper presents the arguments in support of the case for the maintainability of the design, notably if this maintenance is to be performed by advanced remote methods. This structure is compliant...

FEP Analysis and Markov Chains

Uncertainties related with underground CO2 storage play a vital role in risk assessment with respect to Carbon storage and capture projects (CCS). The main purpose of risk assessment is to determine a qualitative and quantitative picture of hazardous processes or events. One makes a comprehensive inventory of risk factors, and stores the results...

Second Generation CO2 FEP Analysis: CASSIF - Carbon Storage Scenario Identification Framework

Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) is a promising contribution to reduce further increase of atmospheric CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. The CCS concept anticipates that large amounts of CO2 are going to be stored in the subsurface for the long term. Since CCS is a rather new technology, uncertainties related with the future evolution of...

Test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of a web-based questionnaire measuring workstation and individual correlates of work postures during computer work

Introduction: "Ergonomic" questionnaires are widely used in epidemiological field studies to study the association between workstation characteristics, work posture and musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. Findings have been inconsistent regarding the putative adverse effect of work postures. Underestimation of the true association...

Development and evaluation of an Exposure Control Efficacy Library (ECEL)

Objectives: This paper describes the development and evaluation of an evidence database on the effectiveness of risk management measures (RMMs) to control inhalation exposure. This database is referred to as Exposure Control Efficacy Library (ECEL). Methods: A comprehensive review of scientific journals in the occupational hygiene field was...

Quantifying the economic benefit of groundwater monitoring: A pilot study

Usually the design of the monitoring system is based on the relation between the monitoring effort and the uncertainty of the information. Often the estimation error standard deviation is used as a criterion for the design. Despite the fact that, for scientists, the standard deviation as a measure of uncertainty is a logical criterion, water...

Decision support system emergency planning, creating evacuation strategies in the event of flooding

The Decision Support System (DSS) Emergency Planning is designed for use in the event of sea or river flooding. It makes accessible all the information related to the decision whether to evacuate an area. An important factor in this decision is the time required for the evacuation. The model used by the DSS Emergency Planning system to estimate...

Attitudes and risk perception of parents of different ethnic backgrounds regarding meningococcal C vaccination

The aim of the present study is to assess the attitudes of parents toward vaccination as well as their risk perception of disease and vaccination. We interviewed 1763 parents of different ethnic groups (among others, Dutch, Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese parents). Results show that there were large differences in knowledge about disease and...