C.H.S. Ruxton, T.R. Kirk, N.R. Belton and M.A.M. Holmes
Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the dayand its consumption has been linked with aspects of health, such asnutrient intake and cognitive powers. Aims to…
Abstract
Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day and its consumption has been linked with aspects of health, such as nutrient intake and cognitive powers. Aims to review some of the literature on the subject and present new data on breakfast consumption patterns from the authors′ dietary survey of Scottish schoolchildren. Frequency of breakfast consumption and type of breakfast chosen was investigated in boys and girls in low and high socio‐economic groups. Few children missed breakfast and the most popular choice was ready‐to‐eat (RTE) breakfast cereal. Children from the low socio‐economic group tended to favour bread or toast. Differences in nutrient intake between RTE cereal eaters and the rest of the group were found and it was concluded that, although the dietary intake of this former group appeared more favourable, further research was required to establish a more definite causative effect.
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Reports a market survey, investigating the role of nutritionistswithin the food industry, of 50 organizations by semi‐structuredtelephone interview. Results demonstrated a strong…
Abstract
Reports a market survey, investigating the role of nutritionists within the food industry, of 50 organizations by semi‐structured telephone interview. Results demonstrated a strong commitment to nutrition input in areas such as product development and marketing: 80 per cent of the organizations surveyed currently employed at least one nutritionist. Concludes that the role of the nutritionist in this relatively new area is increasing in importance.
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Abstract
The current practice of maintenance on fishing vessels varies according to the operating policies of the owner/operator. On most occasions, the crew does not carry out regular maintenance while at sea. As such, all maintenance work is completed while the vessel is at the discharging port. The time between discharge ports can be as long as three to six months, which allows for failures on the machinery propagating and leading to a catastrophic breakdown. Discusses the possibility of avoiding such events by means of implementing an inspection regime based on the delay‐time concept. Operating and failure data that have been gathered from a fishing vessel are used to demonstrate the proposed approach. The outcome of the model is incorporated into the existing maintenance policy of the fishing vessel to assess its effectiveness.
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How Sing Sii, Jin Wang and Tom Ruxton
Following a brief review of the current status of offshore safety regulations in the UK, several issues pertaining to the problems encountered in applying the existing reliability…
Abstract
Following a brief review of the current status of offshore safety regulations in the UK, several issues pertaining to the problems encountered in applying the existing reliability and safety analysis methods in quantitative safety appraisal studies, especially in the early concept design stage of maritime engineering products, are discussed. Presents three novel risk assessment and decision support frameworks. These include a design trade‐off approach using Taguchi method, a safety based decision support system based on artificial neural network techniques, and a fuzzy‐logic‐based synthesis incorporating the Dempster‐Shafer approach for making multiple attribute decision. Three illustrative examples are used to demonstrate the novel tools, together with the discussion on the conditions under which each approach may be applied effectively. Finally, recommendations on further development in safety modelling, decision‐making techniques and their integration into safety management systems, are suggested.
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Ying Lu, Yunxuan Deng and Shuqi Sun
Metro stations have become a crucial aspect of urban rail transportation, integrating facilities, equipment and pedestrians. Impractical physical layout designs and pedestrian…
Abstract
Purpose
Metro stations have become a crucial aspect of urban rail transportation, integrating facilities, equipment and pedestrians. Impractical physical layout designs and pedestrian psychology impact the effectiveness of an evacuation during a metro fire. Prior research on emergency evacuation has overlooked the complexity of metro stations and failed to adequately consider the physical heterogeneity of stations and pedestrian psychology. Therefore, this study aims to develop a comprehensive evacuation optimization strategy for metro stations by applying the concept of design for safety (DFS) to an emergency evacuation. This approach offers novel insights into the management of complex systems in metro stations during emergencies.
Design/methodology/approach
Physical and social factors affecting evacuations are identified. Moreover, the social force model (SFM) is modified by combining the fire dynamics model (FDM) and considering pedestrians' impatience and panic psychology. Based on the Nanjing South Metro Station, a multiagent-based simulation (MABS) model is developed. Finally, based on DFS, optimization strategies for metro stations are suggested.
Findings
The most effective evacuation occurs when the width of the stairs is 3 meters and the transfer corridor is 14 meters. Additionally, a luggage disposal area should be set up. The exit strategy of the fewest evacuees is better than the nearest-exit strategy, and the staff in the metro station should guide pedestrians correctly.
Originality/value
Previous studies rarely consider metro stations as sociotechnical systems or apply DFS to proactively reduce evacuation risks. This study provides a new perspective on the evacuation framework of metro stations, which can guide the designers and managers of metro stations.
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Sandra Drummond, Terry Kirk and Anne de Looy
Snacking is commonly regarded by the general public as unhealthy,believing that it is more beneficial to stick to an eating pattern ofthree meals a day. Similarly anyone on a…
Abstract
Snacking is commonly regarded by the general public as unhealthy, believing that it is more beneficial to stick to an eating pattern of three meals a day. Similarly anyone on a weight reduction programme will avoid snacks, reducing the frequency of eating occasions to two to three times a day. However there is evidence to suggest that snacking is not the evil once thought and individuals that snack throughout the day have positive advantages over individuals who conform to a rigid pattern of three meals a day. Increasingly western populations appear to be moving away from the “gorging” to the “nibbling” pattern of eating, probably as a direct result of the increased availability of fast foods and snacks. Reviews the literature in the area of snacking and frequency of eating with respect to energy and nutrient intakes, body weight, body composition and energy balance and indicates the direction for further research.
Narendrasinh Jesangbhai Parmar and Ajith Tom James
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural methodology of graph theory and matrix approach is used for developing a framework for safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems.
Findings
The development of a framework for safety performance measurement of belt conveyor systems is essential for ensuring plant safety. For this, safety performance factors, including design and operating contextual factors of belt conveyor systems, are identified. The factors along with their interrelations are modeled using digraph. An equivalent matrix of the digraph provided safety performance function (SPF) of belt conveyor systems, leading to the development of a safety performance index (SPI).
Practical implications
The developed framework will enable the designers for evaluating and comparing alternative designs of conveyor systems from the safety viewpoint. The plant operators can make inferences from the SPI to identify the weak contextual factors in the plant and develop action plans for its mitigation.
Originality/value
The paper is novel and employs graph theory and matrix approach for safety performance measurement. The methodology helps in the quantitative evaluation of the safety performance of belt conveyor systems.
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Karim Farghaly, William Collinge, Mojgan Hadi Mosleh, Patrick Manu and Clara Man Cheung
With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile…
Abstract
Purpose
With the rapid development of digital information and modelling software applications for construction, questions have arisen about their impact on construction safety. Meanwhile, recognition that designers can help reduce risks involved in construction, operation and maintenance via a prevention through design (PtD) approach (also known as design for safety) highlights the significance of digital technologies and tools to PtD. Thus, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of a wide range of digital technologies for enhancing PtD.
Design/methodology/approach
A five-stage systematic literature review with coding and synthesis of findings is presented. The review covers journal articles published between 2000 and 2020 related to the applications of various digital technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), 4D, databases, ontologies, serious games, virtual reality and augmented reality, for addressing safety issues during the design phase in construction.
Findings
Analysis of the articles yielded a categorisation of the digital applications for PtD into four main areas: knowledge-based systems; automatic rule checking; hazard visualization; and safety training for designers. The review also highlighted designers’ limited knowledge towards construction safety and the possibility to address this by using gaming environments for educating designers on safety management and using artificial intelligence for predicting hazards and risks during design stage in a BIM environment. Additionally, the review proposes other directions for future research to enhance the use of digital technologies for PtD.
Originality/value
This paper contextualises current digital technology applications for construction health and safety and enables future directions of research in the field to be identified and mapped out.
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“The offshore installations and wells (design and construction, etc.) regulations” (DCR) requires that all safety‐critical elements in both the system and software domains be…
Abstract
“The offshore installations and wells (design and construction, etc.) regulations” (DCR) requires that all safety‐critical elements in both the system and software domains be assessed and evaluated. In this paper, following a brief review of offshore system (application) safety analysis, offshore software safety analysis is introduced. It is followed by a study of combining offshore system safety analysis with software safety analysis. The typical standards for the development of safety‐critical systems in several industrial sectors are discussed with particular reference to formal methods. A generic offshore software safety analysis framework is proposed with discussions. Formal methods for producing safety requirements specifications are then discussed. A case study is used to demonstrate safety requirements modelling for safety‐critical software development. Finally recommendations for further development in offshore software safety analysis are given.
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Erika A. Parn, David Edwards, Zainab Riaz, Fahad Mehmood and Joseph Lai
This paper aims to report upon the further development of a hybrid application programming interface (API) plug-in to building information modelling (BIM) entitled confined spaces…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report upon the further development of a hybrid application programming interface (API) plug-in to building information modelling (BIM) entitled confined spaces safety monitoring system “CoSMoS”. Originally designed to engineer-out environmental hazards associated with working in a building’s confined spaces (during the construction phase of a building’s life-cycle), this second generation version is expanded upon to use archival records to proactively learn from data generated within a sensor network during the building’s operations and maintenance (O&M) phase of asset management (AM).
Design/methodology/approach
An applied research methodological approach adopted used a two-phase process. In phase one, a conceptual model was created to provide a “blueprint map” to integrate BIM, sensor-based networks and data analytics (DA) into one integral system. A literature review provided the basis for the conceptual model’s further development. In phase two, the conceptual model was transposed into the prototype’s development environment as a proof of concept using primary data accrued from a large educational building.
Findings
An amalgamation of BIM, historical sensor data accrued and the application of DA demonstrate that CoSMoS provides an opportunity for the facilities management (FM) team to monitor pertinent environmental conditions and human behaviour within buildings that may impact upon occupant/worker safety. Although working in confined spaces is used to demonstrate the inherent potential of CoSMoS, the system could readily be expanded to analyse sensor-based network’s historical data of other areas of building performance, maintenance and safety.
Originality/value
This novel prototype has automated safety applications for FM during the asset lifecycle and maintenance phase of a building’s O&M phase of AM. Future work is proposed in several key areas, namely, develop instantaneous indicators of current safety performance within a building; and develop lead indicators of future safety performance of buildings.