http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/services/Feed ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12755 The paper develops a methodology for assessing the structural reliability of unreinforced masonry in vertical bending and for calibrating the capacity reduction factor for bending. The reliability index corresponding to the current capacity reduction factor in the Australian Masonry Structures Code AS 3700 (ϕ = 0.6) lies approximately mid-way between the values 3.8 and 4.3. To achieve a target reliability index of 4.3 it was found that the capacity reduction factor may need to be decreased to 0.47. However, the effect of wall length and mortar type needs to be examined further to assess their effect on reliability and to consider whether an improved behaviour model could be used. 2013-04-15T07:02:20.031Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12627 Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2013-03-12T05:55:11.862Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12327 Horse-riding is a particularly dangerous activity for children especially before they have accrued significant riding experience. It is reasonable to suppose that children in this relatively naive group would be riding ponies and, accordingly, they and their caregivers are the target market for ponies presented for sale. We examined whether there was a relationship between the use of descriptive terms associated with pony safety and the advertised price. This would indicate that vendors valued safety characteristics in their pricing decisions in the Australian pony market. We examined the Ponies and Pony Club sections in 6 consecutive 2009 editions of Horse Deals, the leading Australian horse trading magazine. A pilot analysis identified 66 descriptive terms and phrases that vendors used to describe their ponies. These descriptors were assigned to 4 categories based on the extent to which they communicated a behavioral or biological characteristic of the pony relevant to rider/handler safety. Of these 4 categories, 3 reflected degrees of perceived positive assurance and the fourth contained covert warning (negative) descriptors. Data on price, descriptors, and other characteristics (age, height, gender, color, breed, registration, experience) were gathered for 875 advertisements. A linear regression model analysis revealed that price significantly increased with factors such as height and stated experience in showing and dressage (P < 0.001). Positive descriptors were not associated with an increased asking price in the Ponies or in Pony Club markets. However, there was a significant decrease in asking price (P < 0.05) for every warning descriptor that appeared in advertisements. We concluded that safety descriptors do not contribute to pricing of ponies in the Australian horse market but warnings about possible unsafe aspects of the animal can have a deleterious effect on pricing decisions of pony vendors. Our findings concur with previous research carried out in other horse markets and may provide further evidence that vendors value characteristics that are different from those valued by buyers. We recommend that the potential purchasers in these markets become better informed of the importance of safety and predictability in animals bred and trained to be ridden by younger riders. 2012-12-19T03:45:47.910Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12184 This paper presents an analysis of design guidelines for steel-concrete composite beams, formed by concrete-filled cold-formed steel sections. The study is based on experimental results for connector resistance (push-out) and for four full-scale beam bending tests. The accuracy of analytical design equations is evaluated by comparing their predictions with experimental results. Model bias and model uncertainty of analytical design equations are evaluated. The uncertainty in design variables (steel and concrete resistance, dead and live loads, model errors) is taken into account, and reliability index of code-compliant beams is evaluated. Results show that the models for shear connector and for beam bending resistance are fairly accurate, and represent very little contribution to problem uncertainty and failure probabilities. Results show that for practical beam lengths, full material interaction is guaranteed, and failure is dominated by bending. Reliability indexes of the order of 2.2 to 2.8 are obtained, reflecting reliability of the design procedures studied. These values are low, in comparison to target reliability levels of 3.0 used in code calibration, and should be interpreted carefully in future code revisions. 2012-12-10T00:46:15.499Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5074 Background: Concerns regarding the safety of transfused blood have led to the development of a range of interventions to minimise blood loss during major surgery. Anti-fibrinolytic drugs are widely used, particularly in cardiac surgery and previous reviews have found them to be effective in reducing blood loss and the need for transfusion. Recently, questions have been raised regarding the comparative performance of the drugs and the safety of the most popular agent, aprotinin. Objectives: To assess the comparative effects of the anti-fibrinolytic drugs aprotinin, tranexamic acid (TXA), and epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) on blood loss during surgery, the need for red blood (RBC) transfusion, and adverse events, particularly vascular occlusion, renal dysfunction, and death. Search strategy: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the internet. References in identified trials and review articles were checked and trial authors were contacted to identify any additional studies. The searches were last updated in July 2006. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of anti-fibrinolytic drugs in adults scheduled for non-urgent surgery. Eligible trials compared antifibrinolytic drugs with placebo (or no treatment), or with each other. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Main results: This review summarises data from 211 RCTs that recruited 20,781 participants. Data from placebo/inactive controlled trials, and from head-to-head trials suggest an advantage of aprotinin over the lysine analogues TXA and EACA in terms of operative blood loss, but the differences were small. Aprotinin reduced the probability of requiring RBC transfusion by a relative 34% (relative risk [RR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.71). The RR for RBC transfusion with TXA was 0.61 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.69) and it was 0.75 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.96) with EACA. When the pooled estimates from the head-to-head trials of the two lysine analogues were combined and compared to aprotinin alone, aprotinin appeared superior in reducing the need for RBC transfusion: RR 0.83 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.99). Aprotinin reduced the need for re-operation due to bleeding: RR 0.48 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.68). This translates into an absolute risk reduction of just under 3% and a number needed-to-treat (NNT) of 37 (95% CI 27 to 56). Similar trends were seen with TXA and EACA, but the data were sparse and the differences failed to reach statistical significance. The blood transfusion data were heterogeneous and funnel plots indicate that trials of aprotinin and the lysine analogues may be subject to publication bias. Evidence of publication bias was not observed in trials reporting re-operation rates. Adjustment for these effects reduced themagnitude of estimated benefits but did not negate treatment effects. However, the apparent advantage of aprotinin over the lysine analogues was small and may be explained by publication bias and non-equivalent drug doses. Aprotinin did not increase the risk of myocardial infarction (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.18), stroke (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.64) renal dysfunction (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.70) or overall mortality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.20). The analyses of myocardial infarction and death included data from themajority of subjects recruited into the clinical trials of aprotinin. However, under-reporting of renal events could explain the lack of effect seen with aprotinin. Similar trends were seen with the lysine analogues but data were sparse. These results conflict with the results of recently published non-randomised studies. Authors’ conclusions: Anti-fibrinolytic drugs provide worthwhile reductions in blood loss and the need for allogeneic red cell transfusion. Based on the results of randomised trials their efficacy does not appear to be offset by serious adverse effects. In most circumstances the lysine analogues are probably as effective as aprotinin and are cheaper; the evidence is stronger for tranexamic acid than for aminocaproic acid. In high risk cardiac surgery, where there is a substantial probability of serious blood loss, aprotinin may be preferred over tranexamic acid. Aprotinin does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of vascular occlusion and death, but the data do not exclude an increased risk of renal failure. There is no need for further placebo-controlled trials of aprotinin or lysine analogues in cardiac surgery. The principal need is for large comparative trials to assess the relative efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of anti-fibrinolytic drugs in different surgical procedures. 2012-12-07T03:59:30.235Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12060 The biggest change in the OHS legal environment in Australia in over 25 years is approaching, with the possible enactment of uniform legislation in the form of the model Work Health and Safety Act produced by Safe Work Australia in response to recommendations of a joint Federal and State ministers’ meeting. This paper will provide an overview of the new legislation, touching on the new definition of duty‐holders as “persons conducting a business or undertaking”, obligations imposed on managers, the differential penalty regime, new options for enforcement, and whether or not the recent High Court decision in Kirk will have any impact on the proposed new regime. 2012-11-26T22:39:41.283Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12123 This paper considers the question of whether it is possible for company officers, who are fixed with personal liability for criminal occupational health and safety offences, to insure against such liability. It will also touch on related issues to do with indemnities being provided by companies. The paper focuses on the “common law” world, with particular reference to the UK and Australia. 2012-11-26T22:32:47.984Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12068 Human factors evidence has been incorporated into large aircraft operations since the 1970’s and is now regarded as part of standard procedure. Airline transport data indicate that air travel remains the safest form of transport. However there are two tiers of flight operations, large and small aircraft, and there may be some important differences between these two groups, and also within the small aircraft sector itself. This paper is an overview of data collected from 426 Australian small aircraft pilots in September-October 2008. Pilots were asked about knowledge, beliefs and actions regarding incoming human factors based regulations. Differences in pilot responses are evaluated and implications for introducing and supporting operational changes are considered. 2012-11-20T06:00:26.281Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:12017 For many years it has been acknowledged that the possibility of personal criminal liability of company officers plays a key role in encouraging company compliance with OHS obligations. The area of personal liability is one of those where currently there is a wide divergence between different Australian jurisdictions. This paper will offer some comments on the suggested national model and an evaluation of whether the proposed model will be effective in seeing that companies pay closer attention to OHS responsibilities. 2012-11-15T22:37:02.539Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11777 Human factors research findings and associated safety management applications are generally well known in commercial and military (large aircraft) operations but this is not the case with small aircraft operations. There has been little active research in relation to the small plane sector and it is likely that there is significantly less pilot awareness within this sector of human factors based research evidence and its application in flight operations. Both the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have begun to focus on introducing human factors related regulations to improve safety culture and safety management. The nature, scope and rate of human factors related changes within this sector are unprecedented. These changes create new and challenging issues for small plane operations and operators. Results indicate that there is a) a low level of awareness of incoming requirements, b) a low level of information uptake regarding incoming regulations, and c) low levels of preparedness for incoming requirements, both within aviation groups and individually. Data also suggest that there is some resistance to nontechnical information based requirements. 2012-10-21T22:29:24.151Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11776 Small plane pilots and operators are currently being required to upgrade their nontechnical knowledge and skills in order to implement a range of incoming new regulations. Implementation of these changes creates new and challenging issues for small plane operations and operators, including accessing or providing appropriate training and learning opportunities. In addition, there is likely to be an 'interim period' during which there are differences in knowledge, skills and opinions, until the majority of pilots have had a chance to access and integrate new information. Underpinning any current or future nontechnical training programs is the concept of Trust. The question of trust arises in relation to the type and quality of the trainer, the training options available, and also in relation to pilot perceptions of other pilots around them, eg 'which pilots know what' and how 'trustworthy' or reliable they may be in their application of nontechnical information. This paper addresses the issue of pilot trust per se. Results indicate that there is a relatively low level of small plane pilot trust in the nature and usefulness of human factors related training, in other pilots' application of such information, and in increased safety outcomes due to incoming requirements. Pilots indicted higher levels of trust in three preferred training providers (flying schools, club or group, and CASA). The application of trust data in relation to training programs and providers is discussed in an additional paper. 2012-10-21T22:26:32.839Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11775 Effective development of airmanship among aviators is important if airmanship is considered an essential quality for safe and efficient flight. Ebbage and Spencer (2003) discuss some ways in which the development of airmanship can be encouraged in military pilots, suggesting that it should be an integrated part of overall flight and ground training rather than a by-product of conventional training. Kern also promotes the integration of airmanship within ongoing aircraft handling skills training, and suggests three phases of airmanship training. These are: for the instructor to explain the importance of airmanship and instil motivation for improvement; model and teach airmanship; and to evaluate airmanship actively and aggressively. Kern emphasises the importance of the instructor as a mentor to introduce a sound aviation culture, model appropriate behaviours and enforce standards and expectations. Ebbage and Spencer parallel these three phases, also proposing three basic elements to airmanship training: explanation of the concept and its importance, by discussion of case studies; instruction covering the required knowledge, skills and attitudes; and use of objective assessment with provision of feedback. Kern encourages the use of his model of airmanship as a template for the structuring of pre-flight briefings and post-flight debrief and reflection, an activity that should continue throughout one's flying career, not just take place during initial training. As part of an ongoing study of airmanship in Australian aviation, aviators were asked to participate in an on-line survey that included questions about the development of airmanship. The aim was to identify the airmanship instruction and development experiences of current Australian pilots. 2012-10-21T22:23:35.770Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11774 Airmanship is considered important for aviators. Kern describes a model that provides a theoretical structure of airmanship, based on research conducted in the USA. Kern states that the fundamental principles of airmanship are: "skill, proficiency and the discipline to apply them in a safe and efficient manner". In addition, there are six areas of critical expertise, which are shown as pillars of knowledge: self, team, aircraft, environment, risk and mission. According to Kern it is the combination of the basic principles with expert knowledge that enables an aviator to maintain situational awareness and exercise good judgement in decision making, and thus display good airmanship. Ebbage and Spencer present a simplified model of airmanship with three main factors: discipline, control and judgement. Discipline includes self-improvement, vigilance, co-operation and confidence. Judgement covers situational awareness, problem solving, mental workload and foresight, while control refers to flying skills, automation skills, information management, navigation and communication skills. This model specifies broader skill sets than the Kern model. Both models have a similar emphasis on discipline. Ebbage and Spencer consider the foundations of airmanship to be the underlying knowledge, skills and attitudes and that these should be included in any flight training program. The current research addresses whether Australian aviators consider airmanship to include similar concepts to Kern's model and whether there are any additional themes specific to the Australian industry. 2012-10-21T22:21:59.447Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11728 This paper considers the role of structural reliability theory in the wider context of (i) achieving structural safety in practice and (ii) as part of safety assessment for engineering and other projects more generally, including its relationship to achievement of adequate safety in the community generally. It notes that the rules for the design of structures have advanced from 'Factor of Safety' to more rational procedures and these now include the widespread use of structural reliability theory for calibrating design codes. While this is an admirable achievement from a structural engineering viewpoint, and can be considered as a 'stand-alone' matter, increasingly there is an expectation that safety matters in structural engineering must be seen also in a wider perspective, that is in the context of societal expectations for structural engineering. As a result there remain a number of issues for clarification, including how the structural probability measures relate to observations about failures of actual structures. Some of these concerns can be addressed through the adoption of a more clearly defined decision-theoretic framework adapted to structural engineering safety issues. The components for such a framework have recently been outlined and are reviewed herein. It is argued also that structural engineering safety and reliability measures must be compatible with procedures adopted by other potentially hazardous industries. 2012-10-15T22:18:45.609Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11325 Visual inspection is the primary technique used in most routine inspections; therefore, it is of interest to update the safety and reliability assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in corrosive environments using visual inspection of corrosion damage to the concrete cover. A spatial time-dependent structural reliability analysis is developed to update the deterioration process and evaluate the probabilities of corrosion-induced cover cracking (corrosion damage) and structural failure based on visual inspection information of corrosion damage. The performance of RC beams is used to illustrate the reliability analysis developed in this paper. The visual inspection finding considered herein is the timing, extent, and location of corrosion-induced surface cracking, which is used to provide an updated estimate of structural reliability. It was found that visual inspection finding significantly changes the future reliability predictions, and observations of corrosion damage at critical locations considerably increases failure probability. Failure probabilities are compared with a typical target failure probability to illustrate how visual inspection findings can be used to more accurately assess—and often increase—service-life prediction. 2012-08-22T03:30:09.723Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11163 To investigate the interactions between safety climate, psychosocial issues and Needlestick and Sharps Injuries (NSI), a cross-sectional study was undertaken among nurses at a university teaching hospital in Japan (89% response rate). NSI were correlated with various aspects of hospital safety climate including supporting one another at work, the protection of staff against blood-borne diseases being a high management priority, managers doing their part to protect staff from blood-borne disease, having unsafe work practices corrected by supervisors, having the opportunity to use safety equipment to protect against blood-borne disease exposures, having an uncluttered work area, and having minimal conflict within their department. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the importance of hospital safety climate in Japanese health care practice, particularly its relationship with NSI. Although the provision of safer devices remains critical in preventing injuries, ensuring a positive safety climate will also be essential in meeting these important challenges for nurses' occupational health. 2012-07-31T01:51:23.996Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:11080 This paper uses finite element upper and lower bound limit analysis to produce chart solutions for three-dimensional (3D) natural slopes for both short- and long-term stability. The presented chart solutions are convenient tools that can be used for preliminary design purposes. The rigorous limit analysis results in this paper were found to bracket the true factor of safety within ±10% or better, which can be used as a benchmark for the solutions from other methods. The depth of the slip surfaces is observed to be generally shallow for most analyzed cases, particularly for the long-term slope stability problem. In addition, it was found that using a two-dimensional (2D) analysis may lead to significant differences in estimating safety factors, which can differ by 2%–60% depending on the slope geometry and soil properties. Therefore, great care and judgement are required when applying 2D analyses to 3D slope problems 2012-07-12T05:50:04.053Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:10352 Masters Research - Master of Philosophy (MPhil) 2012-03-12T07:50:39.325Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:3107 The Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia (CASA) is in the process of regulating Human Factors training in the Australian aviation industry. Crew Resource Management (CRM) is a well-established application of Human Factors knowledge and as an error management and risk avoidance tool has given the industry opportunity to examine operational behaviours and the relationship of less favourable behaviours to accident causality. The identified behaviours can provide a guide for further training and development of standard operating procedures. The industry requires valid and reliable methodology to measure behaviours that evaluate behaviour using behavioural marking scales known as Behavioural Markers. The data collation possible with these measures can provide auditable data for safety measurement and training needs. This paper reports the results of a survey, conducted in 2002, of a sample of CRM practitioners in the Australian Airline industry. The survey sought their personal opinions on the proposed regulatory changes; their knowledge, skills and attitude to both CRM and Behavioural measures; and comment on the regulators’ role and suggestions for implementation. The results provide a snap shot of practitioner perceived skills and knowledge in evaluating CRM training and perceived organisational characteristics that resist change. Results indicate that measurement of CRM behaviours as a guide to safety is a well accepted concept and that although practitioners feel comfortable with their knowledge of Behavioural Markers they do not have the same confidence in the depth of knowledge in their respective organisations. The practitioners feel that organisational knowledge; culture and training cultures will hinder implementation. The practitioners also indicate less confidence in their skills for behavioural measures and assessor qualifications. CASA’s role is viewed as supportive and allowing autonomy of operators in the implementation and transition phases. 2012-03-08T23:00:02.268Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:761 Where death is caused through culpable carelessness, such as in a road accident, the legal response in many situations is a finding of manslaughter. But until recently the legal system has tended not to resort to this option in cases of death occurring in the workplace. In particular, given the prevalence of the corporate structure among employers, individual company officers have often been able to rely on the 'corporate shield' to avoid being called to account in this way. More recently there have been many calls for company officers to be judged for serious neglect of their duties, leading to the death of workers, in the same way that they would be judged if they were carelessly in control of a motor vehicle and caused the death of another driver. Prosecution authorities, in particular in the United Kingdom, have started to make more use of the general criminal law of manslaughter, rather than simply relying on the specific workplace safety statutes. Arguably there are benefits to this flowing from the community perception that a manslaughter charge is a much more serious business than a 'mere' workplace safety prosecution. This article aims to consider how under the criminal law a company officer might be found to be guilty of either manslaughter or another serious offence as a result of the death of a worker employed by the company. 2012-03-01T23:14:36.403Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:10256 Objective: This paper aims to examine whether university human research ethics committees (HRECs) proactively seek to protect members of the research team as well as study subjects in their written documentation. Methods: A content analysis of 37 Australian university HREC application forms and attachments was undertaken. Each form was allocated to one of four predetermined categories. Results: Of the 37 forms, only three included an explicit request for the applicant to reflect on all possible aspects of safety of the researchers (physical, psychological and emotional). Conclusion: Few HRECs have taken issues of possible harm to researchers into account in their documentation. It is recommended that HRECs explicitly recognise potential risks to researchers, especially those engaged in exploration of sensitive topics, in their processes of approving human research. It is also recommended that researchers consider the possible implications of undertaking this type of research and ensure strategies are in place to minimise these risks. 2012-02-29T01:00:03.727Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:10039 Objectives: Computerised clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are being used increasingly to support evidence-based decision-making by health care professionals. This systematic review evaluated the impact of CDSSs targeting pharmacists on physician prescribing, clinical and patient outcomes. We compared the impact of CDSSs addressing safety concerns (drug interactions, contraindications, dose monitoring and adjustment) and those focusing on medicines use in line with guideline recommendations (hereafter referred to as Quality Use of Medicines, or QUM). We also examined the influence of clinical setting (institutional versus ambulatory care), system- or user-initiation of CDSS, prescribing versus clinical outcomes reported and use of multi-faceted versus single interventions on system effectiveness. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO (1990–2009) for methodologically adequate studies (experiments and strong quasi-experiments) comparing a CDSS with usual pharmacy care. Individual study results are reported as positive trends or statistically significant results in the direction of the intentions of the CDSS being tested. Studies are aggregated and compared as the proportions of studies showing the effectiveness of the CDSS on the majority (≥50%) of outcomes reported in the individual study. Key findings: Of 21 eligible studies, 11 addressed safety and 10 QUM issues. CDSSs addressing safety issues were more effective than CDSSs focusing on QUM (10/11 versus 4/10 studies reporting statistically significant improvements in favour of CDSSs on ≥50% of all outcomes reported; P = 0.01). A number of QUM studies noted the limited contact between pharmacists and physicians relating to QUM treatment recommendations. More studies demonstrated CDSS benefits on prescribing outcomes than clinical outcomes (10/10 versus 0/3 studies; P = 0.002). There were too few studies to assess the impact of system- versus user-initiated CDSS, the influence of setting or multi-faceted interventions on CDSS effectiveness. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated greater effectiveness of safety-focused compared with QUM-focused CDSSs. Medicine safety issues are traditional areas of pharmacy activity. Without good communication between pharmacists and physicians, the full benefits of QUM-focused CDSSs may not be realised. Developments in pharmacy-based CDSSs need to consider these inter-professional relationships as well as computer-system enhancements. 2012-02-14T04:40:06.787Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:9265 With Australia facing a looming shortage of heavy vehicle drivers the question is raised as to whether it is desirable or prudent to encourage older professional heavy vehicle drivers to remain in the transport sector for longer, particularly those of heavy vehicles or recruit drivers of a younger age. The objectives of this study are to: compare accident rates of younger and older heavy vehicle drivers relative to middle age drivers using data from the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority and the Australian Bureau of Statistics and to test for an interaction between vehicle type and controller age group for various other factors which may contribute to accident causation. Following a thorough analysis of all motor vehicle accidents where a vehicle was towed away, an injury or fatality occurred we conclude that the Australian Government initiative to diversify the working population to include older workers (> 65 years) is appropriate to the Australian transport industry, particularly heavy vehicle drivers following appropriate health surveillance. However this analysis has demonstrated that encouraging younger drivers (< 26 years), particularly to drive rigid trucks is also appropriate without this endangering workplace and road safety. We have demonstrated that for a number of important accident factors the age of the driver does not affect accident causation. This practice, with appropriate mentoring and training would lead to the creation of a more professional and skilled workforce. This research was funded under the WorkCover Assist Applied Research Program. The grantee, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) engaged the University of Newcastle to undertake the study. The conclusions in the final report are those of the authors and any views expressed are not necessarily those of WorkCover NSW. 2012-01-30T05:11:03.814Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7055 Earthquake effects are commonly considered in the stability analysis of rock slopes and other earth structures. The standard approach is often based on the conventional limit equilibrium method using equivalent Mohr–Coulomb strength parameters (c and phi) in a slip circle slope stability analysis. The purpose of this paper is to apply the finite element upper and lower bound techniques to this problem with the aim of providing seismic stability charts for rock slopes. Within the limit analysis framework, the pseudo-static method is employed by assuming a range of the seismic coefficients. Based on the latest version of Hoek–Brown failure criterion, seismic rock slope stability charts have been produced. These chart solutions bound the true stability numbers within ±9% or better and are suited to isotropic and homogeneous intact rock or heavily jointed rock masses. A comparison of the stability numbers obtained by bounding methods and the limit equilibrium method has been performed where the later was found to predict unconservative factors of safety for steeper slopes. It was also observed that the stability numbers may increase depending on the material parameters in the Hoek–Brown model. This phenomenon has been further investigated in the paper. 2012-01-30T05:03:20.785Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7077 Purpose: The purpose of this study is to measure the adverse event rates for five elective surgical procedures: transurethral resection of prostate, cholecystectomy, hysterectomy, joint arthroplasty, and herniorrhaphy. Design/methodology/approach: A retrospective two-stage medical record review was conducted on 1,177 admissions in 1998 and 2000 at two tertiary hospitals. Records found to be positive for any of 17 screening criteria during the first stage were reviewed by surgeons from the relevant specialty for adverse events associated with the admissions. Findings: The adverse event (AE) rate overall was 23.1 per cent. There were large variations between the procedural groups, ranging from 12.7 per cent (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) to 44.8 per cent (abdominal hysterectomy). Of the 272 AEs, 89 (32.7 per cent) had an unplanned readmission requiring 709 additional days in hospital and 55 (20.2 per cent) patients had additional surgery (seven returned to theatre during their admission for the procedure). AEs involving a disability that resolved within 12 months occurred for 91.2 per cent, 6.3 per cent had permanent disability, and 2.5 per cent resulted in death. The surgical reviewers determined that 24.7 per cent of the AEs were highly preventable. Originality/value: The study confirms that surgical admissions have a high risk for AEs. The risk varies between procedural groups and 47.3 per cent are not preventable. Adverse events are an important patient safety issue. Preventing AEs would reduce readmissions, patient discomfort and associated costs. Routine monitoring of AEs is recommended. 2012-01-30T05:02:53.324Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:9364 This chapter investigates an alignment of issues in security, risk and vulnerability analysis to present a comprehensive framework for designing an integrated safety-crisis culture across maritime supply chains and associated workplaces. The framework examines systems and processes for training, including needs analyses, covering crisis management capacities that enhance vulnerability analysis in maritime trading systems and the security assurances of supply chains. A combination of primary and secondary data sources from maritime and related industries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region will be applied in a comparative analysis of practices and theoretical approaches to safety and crisis response. The scope of the chapter is limited to the requirements for designing, developing and implementing safety and crisis management cultures in organizations across maritime supply chains. The study reinforces the unique security challenges in the maritime operating environments and in regional port settings. It also details a selection of innovative strategies for mitigating these issues and challenges and in generating a capacity to anticipate some types of crisis. In summary, the authors find the need for development of flexible - yet specific practices - that must be embedded in the operational and managerial repertoire of commercial participants of maritime supply chains internationally. These practices (via the organizational culture) must be adaptive to emergent conditions yet grounded in professional knowledge. 2011-11-14T01:20:02.180Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:9360 Background: Despite the widespread use of accreditation in many countries, and prevailing beliefs that accreditation is associated with variables contributing to clinical care and organisational outcomes, little systematic research has been conducted to examine its validity as a predictor of healthcare performance. Objective: To determine whether accreditation performance is associated with self-reported clinical performance and independent ratings of four aspects of organisational performance. Design: Independent blinded assessment of these variables in a random, stratified sample of health service organisations. Settings: Acute care: large, medium and small health-service organisations in Australia. Study participants: Nineteen health service organisations employing 16 448 staff treating 321 289 inpatients and 1 971 087 non-inpatient services annually, representing approximately 5% of the Australian acute care health system. Main measures: Correlations of accreditation performance with organisational culture, organisational climate, consumer involvement, leadership and clinical performance. Results: Accreditation performance was significantly positively correlated with organisational culture (rho=0.618, p=0.005) and leadership (rho=0.616, p=0.005). There was a trend between accreditation and clinical performance (rho=0.450, p=0.080). Accreditation was unrelated to organisational climate (rho=0.378, p=0.110) and consumer involvement (rho=0.215, p=0.377). Conclusions: Accreditation results predict leadership behaviours and cultural characteristics of healthcare organisations but not organisational climate or consumer participation, and a positive trend between accreditation and clinical performance is noted. 2011-11-14T00:30:02.122Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:9281 With Australia facing a looming shortage of heavy vehicle drivers the question is raised as to whether it is desirable or prudent to encourage older professional heavy vehicle drivers to remain in the transport sector for longer, particularly those of heavy vehicles or recruit drivers of a younger age. Aim: To review age-related safety and identify other factors that contribute to accidents experienced by heavy vehicle drivers. Methods: A search was conducted of national and international peer-reviewed literature in the following databases: MedLine, Embase, Cinahl, PsychInfo and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety. A manual search was performed to obtain relevant articles within selected journals. Results: A limited number of studies reported age-specific accident rates for heavy vehicles for the spectrum of driver age that included drivers younger than 27 years and those over 60 years of age. Heavy vehicle drivers younger than 27 years of age demonstrated higher rates of accident/fatality involvement which decline and plateau until the age of 63 years where increased rates were again observed. Other contributing factors to heavy vehicle accidents include: long hours and subsequent sleepiness and fatigue, employer safety culture, vehicle configuration particularly multiple trailers, urbanisation and road classification. Conclusions: Drivers of heavy vehicles are over-involved until age 27 years however a characteristic ‘U’ shaped curve indicates a higher risk of accident involvement for both younger and older drivers. More detailed analyses of “at-fault” involvement and inability to avert an accident and other factors that contribute to accidents across the ages of heavy vehicle drivers may give further clarification to the degree of safety of both younger and older commercial heavy vehicle drivers. 2011-11-08T04:40:59.876Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:9007 Advances in genetic testing and research have led to a proliferation of studies of indigenous people in an attempt to understand issues of ancestry, migration, susceptibility to specific diseases and predictability of behaviours. This paper questions the assumption that the ‘new genetics’ is value free and argues that this science is subject to a range of social constructions as part of the post-colonial discourse. In this paper I wish to discuss the selection of Polynesians as exemplars of the ‘Warrior’ or ‘Violent’ gene. A small study of seventeen Maori men has become the centre of an international controversy regarding the application and evaluation of genetic studies which seek to attribute determinist conclusions in the absence of other sociological data. This paper focuses on the genetic debate concerning Polynesians, and explores the extent to which the interpretation of these findings may be ethnocentrically formed. 2011-09-19T05:40:06.897Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8992 The two Reports of the National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws (the First Report of October 2008, and the Second Report of January 2009) when read together make a number of recommendations concerning the personal criminal liability of company officers, and the defence of "due diligence". A previous paper reviewed the current law as to personal liability under Australian law, building on an initial study published in 2005. In this paper I shall assume some familiarity with those papers and concentrate on the recommendations of the two Reports. Some of the material here commenting on the First Report is also contained in "Recent Developments", but since at the time it was presented the Second Report had not been published, it seems sensible to provide a combined comment on the overall impact of both Reports. 2011-09-18T22:40:09.586Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8987 In 2005 I published an article summarising decisions to that point based specifically on the New South Wales (NSW) statutory provisions imposing personal liability on company officers for workplace safety breaches. Four years down the track the courts have been interpreting and developing the law, and it seems appropriate to see where we have come to now. That article also touched briefly on the law of other Australian States and the United Kingdom (UK), and in this update I will (again, briefly) indicate what has been happening in those jurisdictions. In particular, there are now some interesting UK decisions which show that the law in both NSW and the UK is developing in parallel and in ways which seem to be very effective. The possible implications of legislative proposals for future reform will also be touched on. 2011-09-16T06:00:03.935Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8955 Tailing dams are normally built to contain refuse from mining, mineral processing and power generation. They have been an essential part of the minerals extraction process. History shows that serious environmental and safety issues are associated with tailing dams. There are options to the conventional tailing dams that can offer remedy to the problems experienced with the dams and although economically more costly in the short term, may be economically viable in the longer term. 2011-09-15T05:30:25.729Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8934 This paper considers the estimation of the likely safety of constructed facilities, particularly larger, more complex structures, over longer periods of time. It reviews, briefly, structural reliability theory and its present application in practice for the development of design codes. Codified rules for the safe and serviceable design of structures have advanced much from the concept of a 'Factor of Safety', in part through application of structural reliability theory. However, there is still not sufficient recognition that this theory and the design rules that may result from it are only a part of the bigger issue of the achievement of safe structures and their continued safety with time. It is proposed that in future structural engineering safety and reliability measures increasingly must be seen to be part of the wider perspective of societal risk and safety assessment and acceptance, and in particularly must align with thinking and techniques in use for potentially hazardous industries. It then becomes possible to consider the extent to which traditional structural engineering approaches to safety are compatible with these wider, more comprehensive procedures. Dealing with structural safety in this more comprehensive framework will ensure that structural engineers cannot be accused of 'sliding out of the acceptable risk debate'. 2011-09-13T04:40:04.073Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8840 The paper presents the structural reliability analysis of a multilane steel truss bridge to assess the safety of the bridge, both in its current configuration and with the addition of a new lane. Probabilistic models of tensile and compressive resistance, as well as dead load, were obtained from existing literature. The probabilistic model of the peak 50-year live load was derived from traffic survey data obtained from the bridge site which enabled an Extreme Value Type I (EV-Type 1 or Gumbel) distribution to be fitted to the upper tail of the distribution of load effects due to traffic loading. The reliability analysis also included: (i) loading model uncertainty which allows for uncertainty in the selection of load and the structural analysis, and (ii) the effect of resistance updating based on proven service performance. The reliability analysis found that the reliability index for the current bridge is 3.1. The reliability index for the new clip-on bus lane reduces to 2.9. If the weakest structural member is strengthened by 10%, 15% or 20% then the reliability indices increase to 3.18, 3.26 and 3.30 respectively. The reliability indices are compared to the target reliabilities recommended in the Australian Standards. This paper aims to determine the realistic bridge load capacity and the appropriate strengthening to carry maximum traffic load without minimising risk. The structural reliability analysis provides very useful risk management tool for assessing the safety of existing bridges. 2011-09-06T02:20:06.816Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8836 Use of mobile phones in Australia is governed by a range of discursive rules, despite the short time in which they have become the major communication tool for the majority of Australians. A wide range of formal rules and emerging practices are in evidence and these affect the health and safety of everyone. Drawing on interviews with young adults (18 to 35) in the Hunter region of Australia, observation of mobile phone uses and analysis of cultural texts this paper examines the newly formed (and forming) discourses of the mobile phone. Formal rules and current research are compared in three areas of interest (use in hospitals, privacy and security issues, and driving) to raise concerns about the consequences when ambiguous or conflicting discourses and practices compromise public safety. 2011-09-05T06:10:04.074Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:6601 The decision in Kirk v Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales; Kirk Group Holdings Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Childs) (Kirk) is an important decision of the Full Bench of the High Court which provides guidance on the proper interpretation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) (OHS Act 2000), and has implications for the continuing work of the Industrial Court of New South Wales in this important area of law. The decision is also important for administrative lawyers. This note, however, focuses primarily on the implications of the decision for the area of occupational health and safety law. Administrative law issues are likely to be explored in greater depth in other comments. 2011-08-31T02:00:08.138Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8519 This chapter discusses how basic human needs are met and highlights the need for nurses and midwives who work in person-centred ways, to have an appreciation of how the individual, the family and the community environment operate as a dynamic system. The concept of systems theory as a way of thinking about factors that impact upon health and illness needs of individuals and communities, is introduced. An overview of Neuman's Systems Model (1989) as a way of thinking about the interrelationships among these is presented. Neuman's Systems Model is an example of a nursing theory that describes stressors and enablers of health that can be related to basic human needs. Neuman's model is very person-centred as it has a very strong emphasis on viewing the individual as a complete person. 2011-08-03T03:40:09.004Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8453 Medical office workers require a basic understanding of medical terminology and the main body systems to which these terms refer. They should also be aware of current occupational health and safety regulations and the various government procedures and protocols related to medical practice and health care in Australia. This book addresses all these issues. It also discusses communication skills and interaction with colleagues and patients. 2011-07-25T06:00:07.652Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8427 Background: Although certain aspects of organizational climate have been shown to influence needlestick and sharps injuries (NSI) among nurses, this issue has not been adequately investigated in Japan. Methods: Our study involved a modified version of the Hospital Safety Climate Scale, which was distributed to a large cross section of nurses in a Japanese teaching hospital. Results: Various aspects of safety climate were associated with a reduced NSI risk, such as being involved in health and safety matters (odds ratio [OR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.65) and being properly trained in risk control procedures (OR, 0.32; 95% CI: 0.12-0.78). Nurses working in departments in which health and safety information was readily available were more likely to report any NSI they sustained (OR, 4.91; 95% CI: 1.30-18.51), whereas nurses working in departments with minimal conflict were less likely to underreport their NSI (OR, 0.45; 95% CI: 0.22-0.87). Conclusion: Overall, this study suggests that hospital safety climate has an important influence on NSI injury rates and reporting behavior among Japanese nurses. Given the multifaceted nature of identified risk, a comprehensive approach to infection control is clearly required and one that encompasses preventive strategies in both the cultural and physical domains. 2011-07-21T02:50:25.411Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8101 Although the modelling of built infrastructure subject to blast loading has been well developed, considerable uncertainty remains with respect to explosive loading parameters and structural response. This paper focuses on facade glazing – as this poses significant safety hazards when affected by explosive blast loads. A structural reliability analysis is used to calculate probabilities of glazing damage and safety hazards conditional on given threat scenarios. The analysis considers the variability of explosive blast loading; in particular, from variations in explosive weight, explosion effects in terms of pressure, stand-off distance, inherent blast load variability and model error. Uncertainties in structural response (including the variability in glazing stress limits, situational geometry, fragment drag coefficients and modelling error) are then considered in the analysis. This allows the prediction of likelihood and extent of damage and casualties. It was found that damage and safety hazard risks are very sensitive to the accuracy of the blast loading prediction model and the inherent variability of blast loading. 2011-07-06T02:00:07.112Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:8062 The decision of the NSW Court of Appeal in Wynn Tresidder Management Pty Ltd v Barkho (Wynn Tresidder) deals with the question whether civil liability to a member of the public injured at a workplace can be based on the occupational health and safety legislation in NSW. The plaintiff was attempting to enter a shopping centre car park, when she was injured as she slipped on a wet surface which had been created by rain entering where renovations were happening. Her claim in negligence against the owners of the shopping centre (the occupiers) succeeded at trial and was upheld by the Court of Appeal. But a claim in breach of statutory duty (BSD), which also succeeded at trial, was doubted by the appeal court. This casenote comments on the BSD claim, and some aspects of the interesting interaction of the tort of breach of statutory duty with the new civil liability legislation. 2011-07-05T00:00:11.005Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7997 Letter to the editor about the importance of surgical safety checklists. 2011-06-30T04:00:06.361Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7896 This paper uses numerical finite element upper and lower bound limit analysis to produce stability charts for three dimensional (3D) homogeneous and inhomogeneous undrained slopes. Although the conventional limit equilibrium method (LEM) is used more often in practice for evaluating slope stability, the accuracy of the method is often questioned due to the underlying assumptions that it makes. Using the limit theorems can not only provide a simple and useful way of analysing the stability of slopes, but also avoid the shortcomings and arbitrary assumptions under pinning the LEM. The rigorous limit analysis results in this paper were found to bracket the slope stability number to within ±9% or better and therefore can be used to benchmark for solutions from other methods. In addition, it was found that using a two dimensional (2D) analysis to analyse a 3D problem will lead to a significant difference in the factors of safety depending on the slope geometries. This is of particular relevance to any back analyses of slope failure as it will lead to an unsafe estimation of material strengths. 2011-06-20T00:00:14.946Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7700 Duke and colleagues recently reported the excess mortality and extra bed-days caused by intensive care access block in metropolitan Melbourne. Access block is an important patient safety issue, and we report here additional data that support their results. 2011-05-12T06:50:01.721Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7521 Obituary of: Eric Clifford Wigglesworth AM, the "father of Australian safety", who passed away on 22 March 2009. 2011-04-07T03:00:03.490Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7211 There are many computational techniques to model the consequences to built infrastructure when subject to explosive blast loads; however, the majority of these do not account for the uncertainties associated with system response or blast loading. This paper describes a new computational model, called “Blast-RF” (Blast Risks for Facades), that incorporates existing (deterministic) blast-response models within an environment that considers threat and (or) vulnerability uncertainties and variability using probability and structural reliability theory. The structural reliability analysis uses stress limit states and the UK Glazing Hazard Guide's rating criteria to calculate probabilities of glazing damage and occupant safety hazards conditional on a given blast scenario. This allows the prediction of likelihood and extent of damage and (or) casualties, useful information for risk mitigation considerations, emergency service's contingency and response planning, collateral damage estimation, weaponeering, and post-blast forensic analysis. 2011-02-14T01:30:39.597Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7217 Objective: To evaluate staff perceptions about working environment, efficiency and the clinical safety of a cardiovascular intervention short stay unit (SSU) during the first year of operation. Design: Postal questionnaire. Setting: Cardiac catheterisation laboratory (CCL), coronary care unit (CCU), general cardiology ward (GCW) and the short stay unit (SSU) of a tertiary referral hospital situated in the mid coastal region of NSW. Subjects: Cardiologists (including visiting medical officers [VMO]), cardiology fellows, cardiology advanced trainees and nurses. Results: Responses on the working environment of the SSU and the discharge process were statistically significant. A substantial proportion of both nurses and doctors had concerns about patient safety, even though no adverse events were formally recorded in the database. Conclusions: Though the participants of the survey agree on the efficiency of the SSU in providing beds to the hospital, they disagree on aspects that are important in the functioning of the SSU, including the working environment, patient selection and clinical safety. The results highlight potential issues that could be improved or addressed and are relevant to the rollout of SSUs across NSW. 2011-02-14T01:30:17.500Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5665 It is said the medical profession should learn from the aviation industry, which has a much better safety record. This is possibly because pilots get a mandatory 8 hours’ sleep. They also have to rest between shifts, for longer than the hours worked. Pilots do everything in duplicate to ensure accuracy. Most importantly, the pilots know that if their passengers are going to die, they are going to die too. So, I think it is high time that medicine looks into emulating the aviation industry. 2011-02-08T22:50:02.162Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:7174 More than 177 000 potentially preventable healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur per annum in Australia with sizable attributable mortality. Organizational systems to protect against HAI in hospitals in Australia are relatively poorly developed. Awareness and practice of infection control by medical and other healthcare staff are often poor. These lapses in practice create significant risk for patients and staff from HAI. Excessive patient exposure to antimicrobials is another key factor in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Clostridium difficile infection. Physicians must ensure that their interactions with patients are safe from the infection prevention standpoint. The critical preventative practice is hand hygiene in accord with the World Health Organization 5 moments model. Improving the use of antimicrobials, asepsis and immunization also has great importance. Hospitals should measure and feed back HAI rates to clinical teams. Physicians as leaders, role models and educators play an important part in promoting adherence to safe practices by other staff and students. They are also potentially effective system engineers who can embed safer practices in all elements of patient care and promote essential structural and organizational change. Patients and the public in general are becoming increasingly aware of the risk of infection when entering a hospital and expect their carers to adhere to safe practice. Poor infection control practice will be regarded in a negative light by patients and their families, regardless of any other manifest skills of the practitioner. 2011-02-02T23:40:18.041Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5754 This article discusses the role of structural reliability theory in the wider context of structural safety and its role as part of safety in the community generally. It commences by noting that the rules for the design of structures have advanced from ‘factor of safety’ to more rational procedures, including the use of structural reliability theory. It is common practice, for this theory can be considered somewhat in isolation from the wider perspective of societal expectations of structural engineering. In this context, there remain a number of issues for clarification, including how the structural probability measures relate to observations about failures of actual structures. Some of these concerns can be addressed through the adoption of a more clearly defined decision-theoretic framework adapted to structural engineering safety issues. The components for such a framework are outlined herein. It is argued also that structural engineering safety and reliability measures must be part of the wider perspective of societal risk and safety assessment, and therefore must be compatible with procedures adopted for other potentially hazardous industries. 2010-09-27T06:00:02.676Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:760 Section 26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) (like similar provisions in other Australian jurisdictions) imposes personal liability for corporate breaches of the Act on officers of the relevant company. This article explores this provision in detail through analysis of cases decided in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, and other material. It deals with the general background to the provision, the practice of prosecutors, and a number of legal issues arising under the section. These include the meaning of ‘due diligence’ as a defence, the difficult issues raised by the privilege against self-incrimination when both officers and the company are prosecuted, and sentencing issues such as the appropriate allocation of penalty between the company and the officer. The article concludes by suggesting a number of areas where some ‘fine-tuning’ of s 26 is desirable to enable it to be effective in encouraging senior managers to pay proper attention to workplace safety. 2010-07-02T04:51:41.575Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1154 The Federal Government’s Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee (CAMAC) released its Report on Personal Liability for Corporate Fault in September 2006. The Report covers a wide range of personal liability issues affecting company officers. But a comment in this Journal seems appropriate, given that the Report, if adopted, would have a significant impact on personal liability in the workplace safety area. 2010-06-03T05:20:02.217Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5918 A spatial time-dependent reliability model is developed for a RC beam subject to corrosion-induced pitting corrosion. The analysis considers the spatial and time-dependent variability of pitting corrosion and its effect on cover cracking and shear and flexural resistance. The model uses extreme value theory to predict maximum pit depth as a function of bar diameter and reinforcing bar length. The effect of corrosion on the mechanical behaviour of reinforcement and associated loss of ductility is also considered. A ID spatial model is included where concrete properties, concrete cover and the surface chloride concentration are treated as random fields. The spatial time-dependent reliability model allows the loss of structural capacity and reliability to be calculated conditional on the observed extent of corrosion damage. This allows the interaction between corrosion damage and loss of structural safety to be inferred for a deteriorating RC beam. 2010-04-30T00:00:01.250Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1148 The tort action for breach of statutory duty has been used for many years in cases of workplace injury, disease or death,and is still being relied on. But in the workplace safety area the old regime of prescriptive regulation was being replaced by a system of "general duty" laws, and in recent years there has been a further move to the model of "risk management". Can the old wineskin survive the impact of the new wine? This article considers how the action has fared recently under successive changes in the workplace safety legislative regime in the United Kingdom and in Australia. 2010-04-27T06:39:20.029Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1228 Background: Underground coal-mine workers suffer noise-induced hearing loss and continue working in the industry while having varying degrees of deafness. Few studies have researched the risk to safety arising from the loss of hearing. Aims: This study is designed to investigate the possible association between hearing loss and accidents in the New South Wales underground coal-mining industry. Methods: A study was conducted, gathering data over a 10-year period from 1994 to 2003, which identified 97 cases that have had accidents and 983 controls that have had no accidents. Hearing loss levels were noted and compared in the cases and controls. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine whether the variables were significant risk factors in the occurrence of accidents. Results: Hearing loss levels in the total cohort varied from 0 to 54%. The proportion of cases with hearing loss appeared to be significantly higher in the young age group of <29 years than in the controls, but was not significantly different in the older age groups. Conclusions: This study indicates that workers who have lost up to 54% binaural high tone hearing and are older than 29 years do not appear to have an increased risk to safety when compared with workers who do not have hearing loss. However, workers in the young age group of <29 years who have high tone hearing loss may be at an increased risk of accident. 2010-04-27T06:39:17.809Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1225 Information about present and anticipated bridge reliabilities, in conjunction with decision models, provides a rational and powerful decision-making tool for the structural assessment of bridges. For assessment purposes, an updated reliability (after an inspection) may be used for comparative or relative risk purposes. This may include the prioritisation of risk management measures (risk ranking) for inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement. A life-cycle cost analysis may also be used to quantify the expected cost of a decision. The present paper will present a broad overview of the concepts, methodology and immediate applications of risk-based assessments of bridges. In particular, two practical applications of reliability-based bridge assessment are considered — risk ranking and life-cycle cost analysis. 2010-04-27T06:38:54.750Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1151 Section 26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) (like similar provisions in other Australian jurisdictions) imposes personal liability for corporate breaches of the Act on officers of the relevant company. This article explores this provision in detail through analysis of cases decided in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, and other material. It deals with the general background to the provision, the practice of prosecutors, and a number of legal issues arising under the section. These include the meaning of 'due diligence' as a defence, the difficult issues raised by the privilege against self-incrimination when both officers and the company are prosecuted, and sentencing issues such as the appropriate allocation of penalty between the company and the officer. The article concludes by suggesting a number of areas where some 'fine-tuning' of s 26 is desirable to enable it to be effective in encouraging senior managers to pay proper attention to workplace safety. 2010-04-27T06:38:43.652Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1152 Where death is caused through culpable carelessness, such as in a road accident, the legal response in many situations is a finding of manslaughter. But until recently the legal system has tended not to resort to this option in cases of death occurring in the workplace. In particular, given the prevalence of the corporate structure among employers, individual company officers have often been able to rely on the 'corporate shield' to avoid being called to account in this way. More recently there have been many calls for company officers to be judged for serious neglect of their duties, leading to the death of workers, in the same way that they would be judged if they were carelessly in control of a motor vehicle and caused the death of another driver. Prosecution authorities, in particular in the United Kingdom, have started to make more use of the general criminal law of manslaughter, rather than simply relying on the specific workplace safety statutes. Arguably there are benefits to this flowing from the community perception that a manslaughter charge is a much more serious business than a 'mere' workplace safety prosecution. This article aims to consider how under the criminal law a company officer might be found to be guilty of either manslaughter or another serious offence as a result of the death of a worker employed by the company. 2010-04-27T06:38:41.120Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1254 This paper critically appraised the validity and generalizability of the safety of the Stockholm Birth Center care study to determine if it can be relied on to answer the question, "Is primiparous labor and birth in a birth center as safe for babies as standard medical care?" The retrospective cohort study is summarized, and statistical and methodological aspects are evaluated. Errors that were identified include selection bias and two forms of performance bias, both involving the independent variable. Nondefinition and lack of control of the independent variable and minor statistical errors were also noted. More serious concerns relate to the validity of an intention‐to‐treat analysis. Some methodological problems reduced validity of the study and ability to generalize the findings to other birth centers. Birth center care is a desirable and established birth option. A more useful approach to improving maternity care provision could involve comparing multiple birth center sites with each other to find best practice so that it can be analyzed and duplicated. 2010-04-27T06:38:27.660Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1887 This study investigates the sense of belonging to a neighbourhood among 9445 women aged 73–78 years participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Thirteen items designed to measure sense of neighbourhood were included in the survey of the older women in 1999. Survey data provided a range of measures of demographic, social and health-related factors to assess scale construct validity. Factor analysis showed that seven of the items loaded on one factor that had good face validity and construct validity as a measure of the sense of neighbourhood. Two of the remaining items related to neighbourhood safety and comprised a factor. A better sense of neighbourhood was associated with better physical and mental health, lower stress, better social support and being physically active. Women who had lived longer at their present address had a better sense of belonging to their neighbourhood, as did women living in non-urban areas and who were better able to manage on their income. Feeling safe in the neighbourhood was least likely in urban areas, increased in rural townships, and was most likely in rural and remote areas. Older women living alone felt less safe, as did women who were less able to manage on their income. This study has identified two sets of items that form valid measures of aspects of the social environment of older women, namely the sense of neighbourhood and feelings of safety. These findings make a contribution to our understanding of the relationship between feelings of belonging to a neighbourhood and health in older women. 2010-04-27T06:35:40.094Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:758 The tort action for breach of statutory duty has been used for many years in cases of workplace injury, disease or death, and is still being relied on. But in the workplace safety area the old regime of prescriptive regulation was replaced by a system of "general duty laws" and in recent years there has been a further move to the model of "risk management. Can the old wineskin survive the impact of the new wine? This article considers how the action has fared under successive changes in the workplace saftey legislative regime in the United Kingdom and in Australia. 2010-04-27T06:34:18.525Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1587 This study aimed to evaluate in vivo gastrointestinal survival and safety of orally administered probiotic bacterium, Propionibacterium jensenii 702, using a male Wistar rat model. A high dose of 10¹⁰ cfu/rat/day of P. jensenii 702 was fed to each rat for 81 days. The repeated dose toxicity and translocation of P. jensenii 702 into rat tissues were evaluated, along with the rat faecal β-glucuronidase activities and dairy propionibacteria counts. Results showed that P. jensenii 702 had no adverse effect on general health status, body weight gain, visceral organs and faecal β-glucuronidase activities. No viable cells of P. jensenii 702 were recovered from blood and tissue samples (mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen) of rats, and no treatment-associated illness or death was observed. Faecal dairy propionibacteria counts reached 108 cfu/g after 36 days treatment and remained between 10⁸–10⁹ cfu/g till the end of 81 days treatment. The results indicate that P. jensenii 702 was able to survive the in vivo gastrointestinal tract transit of rats, with no adverse affects on the animals. However, further human clinical trials are required before strain P. jensenii 702 could be incorporated into food for human consumption as probiotics. 2010-04-27T06:26:12.587Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:2490 The results of some crowd behaviour at outdoor music festivals (OMFs) are injuries and sometimes death. The following study has identified a number of factors that are highly likely to have an influence on crowd behaviour and safety at OMFs. The participants in the study (N=44) were specialised security professionals recruited from a single organisation providing security at music based events. These study participants considered problems resulting from intoxication, crowd crushes, the style of live performances and the overall crowd composition as being responsible for the majority of the behavioural concerns they encountered at OMFs. These behavioural factors could form a basic criterion to identify higher risk to patrons at OMFs. Additionally, the study participants considered the overcrowding of venues, a lack of emergency planning and insufficient security staff at events being highly likely to impact on safety at these events. These behavioural and safety factors should be highlighted in pre-event discussions and within the approval processes for OMFs. Highlighting these factors will contribute to the provision of appropriate services and infrastructure based on the specific risk characteristics of each OMF. 2010-04-27T06:24:06.150Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:2268 In 2000 the Glastonbury Festival in England experienced an unprecedented invasion of gatecrashers that severely compromised public health and safety. This incident identified the need for a comprehensive review of planning and management procedures for that event. In order to undertake this review, the 2001 event was cancelled. Upon its return in 2002, the event demonstrated considerable improvements in health and safety with the main features being tighter security and a more secure perimeter fence. Advancements such as these have continued at each subsequent event, with the 2004 festival considered the safest to date. The Glastonbury Festival provides a model for successful management of health and safety issues for large public events. This success was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the event organiser and government agencies, in particular the Mendip District Council. This event demonstrates how the licensing process can be a useful tool to encourage good practice in public health and safety issues for large outdoor music festivals. 2010-04-27T06:19:26.279Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:1715 Coal oxidation at low temperatures (i.e. <100°C) is the major heat source responsible for the self-heating and spontaneous combustion of coal and is an important source of greenhouse gas emissions. This review focuses on the chemical reactions occurring during low-temperature oxidation of coal. Current understanding indicates that this process involves consumption of O₂, formation of solid oxygenated complexes, thermal decomposition of solid oxygenated complexes and generation of gaseous oxidation products. Parameters, such as mass change, heat release, oxygen consumption, and formation of oxidation products in the gas or solid phase, have been used to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the oxidation process. Reaction mechanisms have been proposed to explain the characteristics of consumption of O₂, and formation of oxidation products in the gas and solid phases. Various kinetic models have also been developed to describe the rate of oxygen consumption and the rates of formation of gaseous oxidation products in terms of the rate parameters of the relevant reactions, oxidation time, temperature, and initial concentration of oxygen in the oxidising medium. Further research emphasis should be placed on the formation of the complete reaction pathways proceeding in the oxidation process and on the development of kinetic models applicable for predicting the self-heating and gas emission in a coal seam or stockpile. 2010-04-27T06:12:05.336Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:2531 The intervention programs in the United States, Canada, and Europe are broad-based approaches in dealing with the runway incursion problem; they address all users of airports and include attention to the provision of airport signage in accordance with ICAO recommendations. Australia is setting up a runway incursion task force within Airservices Australia to monitor and make recommendations with regards to runway incursions. The provision of signs at smaller regional airports in Australia is an issue for the individual airport owners and Airservices Australia. Other interventions, such as education and awareness, are being addressed through industry publications like Flight Safety Australia. The more high-tech interventions discussed earlier also appear to be high cost and may be out of reach for small operators and small airport owners. Many depend upon the airport's having an air traffic control tower or some other form of surface movement control; therefore, this type of intervention is going to be established only at larger, more traffic-dense airports where incursions are more likely. The main problem remains one of human factors; interventions may be present and working, but the context of aviation activity at the airport remains the same. Situational awareness and cognitive workload will still push individual pilots (and air traffic controllers) to the limits of their capacity. The issue seems to be not so much with the provision of signs and markings as with getting pilots and drivers of ground vehicles to look for and use the signs, follow instructions, and maintain situational awareness under high workloads. 2010-04-27T06:03:21.627Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:563 This study surveyed residents of eight caravan parks in the Lower Hunter, New South Wales. The article presents results on: general characteristics of residents; forms of available transport; housing history and housing needs; satisfaction with current living arrangements; sense of safety in the park, in the home and in general; the effects of alcohol consumption on quality of life and relationships; and psychological sense of community. 2010-04-27T05:41:53.156Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4812 This special issue was initiated by the Editor, Carlos Guedes Soares in response to the growing awareness that the deterioration and corrosion of materials used in ageing physical infrastructure is matter of increasing concern to assets owners and managers both in private enterprise and in the public domain. Safety to users and to the public, disruption of service and overall economic costs are among the main reasons for concern. Sensible management able to meet both regulatory requirements and economic imperatives increasingly requires application of rational economic evaluations, including risk assessments. A key issue is the expected degradation of an infrastructure system both in the short and the long-term future. In a manner analogous to the discount rate for economic assessment, the rate of degradation can markedly influence economic assessments. It also has important implications for the setting of rational assets management policies, strategies and practices. 2010-04-27T05:33:55.437Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4782 For safety professionals wishing to seek up-to-date English-language information on workplace issues, standards and exposure limits in Japan, the journals INDUSTRIAL HEALTH and the JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH represent a treasure trove of information. Despite being Japan's premier English-language journals in the field of occupational safety and health for almost 50 years, the history and content of these periodicals is largely unknown outside the country. Founded in 1963 and 1996 respectively, INDUSTRIAL HEALTH and the JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH have been two important vehicles for the dissemination of research findings, technical standards and exposure limits to the international community. This article provides a brief history and introduction to both journals, as well as describing their developmental stages and current position in the field of international occupational safety and health. 2010-04-27T05:33:50.897Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4767 Objective: Our aim was to determine the safety of BAL in young children <6 years with CF. Methods: As part of a multi-center study of BAL-directed therapy, children with CF <6 years had one or more BALs between September 1999 and December 2005. Adverse events were recorded intraoperatively and for 24 hr thereafter. Clinical characteristics before BAL, findings at bronchoscopy and BAL results were assessed as risk factors for adverse events. Results: 333 BALs were conducted in 107 (56 males) children, median age 23.5 (range 1.6–67.5) months,including 170 (51%) for pulmonary exacerbation. 29 BALs (8.7%) were followed by fever ≥38.58C and 10 (3%) had clinically significant episodes (five intraoperative hemoglobin desaturations to <90% requiring intervention, one tachyarrhythmia, two needing post-operative supplemental oxygen, one hospitalization for stridor). Two contaminated bronchoscopes were detected. 180 minor adverse events were recorded in 174 (52%) BAL procedures (137 altered cough, 41 fever <38.58C). Low percentage BAL return (P=0.002) and focal bronchitis (P=0.02) were associated with clinically significant deterioration. Multivariable analysis identified Streptococcus pneumoniae (OR 22.3; 95% confidence interval (CI); 6.9,72), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0, 5.8), respiratory signs (OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.7, 14.6) and focal bronchitis (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.2, 29.8) as independent risk factors for post-bronchoscopy fever ≥38.58C. Conclusions: Adverse events are common with BAL in young CF children, but are usually transient and well tolerated. Parents should be counseled that signs of a pre-existing lower respiratory infection are associated with increased risk of post-BAL fever. 2010-04-27T05:33:29.258Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:3958 In New Zealand, as in most developed countries, rates of injury mortality and morbidity peak in late adolescence (15-19 years), when they account for around three quarters of fatalities and a third of hospitalisations. Road traffic crashes account for over half of fatal injuries in New Zealand, as in most developed countries. Individuals engaged in post-secondary education, i.e., tertiary students, are a large and important subgroup of young people exposed to the risk of road traffic injury. The aims of this chapter were to estimate the prevalence of unsafe road behaviours, and to examine the role of demographic variables, alcohol use, driver licence status, and transport needs. Participants were 1,480 students (899 women) from 12 residential halls in Dunedin, New Zealand, They anonymously completed a questionnaire on alcohol use and road safety at the start of the 2000 academic year. A sub-sample of 967 students completed a follow-up survey six months later. The mean age of the sample was 18.3 years (SD=1.6), and 88% had a driver licence. Male gender and drinking status were independently associated with speeding, drink-driving and drink-riding, but not seatbelt use. Drinking levels showed a strong dose-response relationship with the prevalence of unsafe behaviours with the exception of seatbelt-use. In marked contrast to drinking levels, which increased from baseline to follow-up, drink-driving and drink-riding levels decreased, probably reflecting the reduced motor vehicle transport needs of students in residential halls, relative to their out-of-term living environments. In addition to various existing, evidence-based countermeasures, application of interventions for reducing hazardous drinking may be required to help reduce road traffic injury rates in this population. 2010-04-27T05:14:38.703Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4482 Issue addressed: The Mackay Whitsunday Safe Communities (MWSC) was established in February 2000 in response to high rates of injury observed in the region. A key objective was to consolidate and better coordinate a network of community groups already working in community safety promotion. Methods: This study used Social Network Analysis (SNA) to document and analyse the social resources, or social capital, mobilised by the network. Using a snowballing methodology, the chain of relationships that constitute MWSC and its Support Network (SN) was elucidated and quantified. Results: Since it was launched in February 2000, MWSC and its SN almost doubled its bonding social capital, while bridging social capital increased 160% and linking social capital increased 280%. Relationships were not evenly distributed. Forty four per cent of relationships were maintained by six actors who also maintained 60% of the network's brokerage potential. Conclusions: SNA proved a powerful tool for describing and analysing relationships within the MWSC and its SN. It provided diagrammatic representation of the social structure and quantified important aspects of its structure and function. It highlighted the asymmetric distribution of relationships, resources and power that had a profound impact on how the network functioned. 2010-04-27T05:11:44.246Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4330 It has been previously show that certain aspects of organizational climate, such as safety climate, may influence the development of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries (NSI)among nurses. Despite this fact the interactions between NSI and safety climate have not been adequately investigated in Japan. 2010-04-27T05:07:59.227Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4123 Glossary (concept note) - 1. Definition. 2. Main Issues. 3. Critical Placement. 4. Perpectives. 2010-04-27T05:01:53.549Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4821 Regardless of one's opinion of the Editor-in-Chief or the journal itself, occupational health editorials offer an interesting insight into the professional direction of the editorial board and the periodical it serves. Nevertheless, when judging a particular journal, it is important not to forget the fundamental goal of our profession, that is, to strive continuously for healthier and safer workplaces around the world. While profound changes have no doubt occurred throughout most occupations in recent years, many traditional hazards still continue to exist, particularly in developing countries. For these reasons and more, it is critical that we, as occupational health professionals in Australia as elsewhere, continue to examine, analyse and publish our findings on how to achieve a safer world of work for all. Editorials, original research and review articles offer a key vehicle for this ongoing dissemination of knowledge. 2010-04-27T05:00:03.572Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4642 The Australian government Office of Best Practice Regulation has recommended the use of cost-benefit assessment for all proposed federal regulations. An assessment of increased expenditure on the Air Security Officer (ASO), or air marshal, program since 2001 suggests that the annual cost per life saved is greatly in excess of the regulatory safety goal of $1-$10 million per life saved. As such, the ASO program would seem to fail a cost-benefit analysis. In contrast, hardening of cockpit doors has a significantly lower annual cost per life saved, suggesting that this strategy is a cost-effective security measure. 2010-04-27T04:57:38.764Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4417 A multi-state outbreak of Salmonella enterica serovar Saintpaul infection occurred in Australia during October 2006. A case-control study conducted in three affected jurisdictions, New South Wales, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory, included 36 cases with the outbreak-specific strain of S. Saintpaul identified by multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) in a faecal specimen and 106 controls. Consumption of cantaloupe (rockmelon) was strongly associated with illness (adjusted OR 2314). S. Saintpaul, with the outbreak MLVA profile, was detected on the skin of two cantaloupes obtained from an implicated retailer. Trace-back investigations did not identify the specific source of the outbreak strain of S. Saintpaul, but multiple Salmonella spp. were detected in environmental samples from farms and packing plants investigated during the trace-back operation. Cantaloupe production and processing practices pose a potential public health threat requiring regulatory and community educational interventions. 2010-04-27T04:54:12.255Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:4555 Structures seldom fail, so it is reasonable to conclude that they are ‘safe’ and that this state was attained in the processes of designing and building them. The process of achieving structural safety and the process of assessing whether structural safety has actually been achieved for a given structure are, however, two very different matters. This is the essence of this paper and the issues are discussed in terms of the four related topics of responsibility, failure, uncertainty and decision. The first deals with the domain of responsibility of structural engineers: what it is and what it should be and how this relates to structural failure. Four sources of failure are distinguished: technical, process errors, technical ignorance and various non-technical matters. The relative contributions of these are then discussed. Recent codes of practice have focused narrowly on technical uncertainty and a notional probability of failure, with little attempt to incorporate non-technical matters and the ontological uncertainty, which is shown to be the origin of most failures. Finally, the nature of decision making is discussed for both code development and structural design and it is concluded that in both cases the decision process is one of satisficing rather than optimising. The whole process is less rational than is generally supposed and requires a broader view in the outlook and training of structural engineers. 2010-04-27T04:53:53.216Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5406 Objective: To assess how information about adverse events is included in systematic reviews. Study Design and Setting: We included all new Cochrane reviews published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSRs) and all new reviews (2003-2004) in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DAREs) in Issue 1 2005 of The Cochrane Library. Results: More than half of Cochrane (44/78) and DARE (46/79) reviews assessed drug interventions. The rest assessed surgery (Cochrane [12]; DARE [10]), psychosocial, educational, or physiotherapy interventions (22; 23). Seventy-six percent (59/78) of Cochrane reviews mentioned adverse events as an outcome compared with 48% (38/79) of DARE reviews. Most reviews mentioning adverse events were of drug interventions (Cochrane [41/59]; DARE reviews [29/38]). Considering reviews that mentioned adverse events, 95% (56/59) of Cochrane reviews included only randomized trials and 73% (43/59) included an analysis of adverse events. For 10 Cochrane reviews, adverse events had not been reported by the included trials. In contrast, 58% (22/38) of DARE reviews mentioning adverse events included only randomized trials, the rest included both randomized and nonrandomized studies. Conclusions: Most Cochrane reviews of drug interventions considered adverse events. This was not the case for DARE reviews and for Cochrane reviews of nondrug interventions. This could be improved University of Newcastle. 2010-04-27T04:48:52.726Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5188 Objective: To explore GPs' opinions about the causes of occupational violence in general practice. Design: A cross-sectional qualitative study. Setting: Three urban divisions of general practice in New South Wales, Australia. Participants: A total of 172 GPs: 18 GPs participated in focus group discussions and a further 154 provided written responses. Method: Purposive sampling was used to recruit GPs to participate in focus groups. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed; each transcript was separately coded by all members of the research team. Focus groups were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. Further qualitative data were obtained by offering GPs the opportunity, during completion of a written questionnaire sent to all GPs practising in the 3 urban divisions, to provide additional comments regarding their experiences and perceptions of violence. A modified grounded-theory approach, employing thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts and written responses from the questionnaires, was used. Main Findings: All focus group participants and 75% of questionnaire respondents had experienced episodes of violence during their general practice careers. Key themes that emerged in data analysis were used to construct a schema of participating GPs' perceptions of the causes of occupational violence. Elements in the schema include underlying causes, proximate causes, and GP vulnerability. Perhaps the most noteworthy findings within this structure were the emergent constructs - culture of fear, "naïve" practice culture, and GP vulnerability. To date these themes have not been evident in general practice literature on this topic. Conclusion: An understanding of GPs' perceptions regarding the causes of violence will be useful in planning general practice service provision and promoting GP safety. 2010-04-27T04:47:08.719Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:6008 This paper addresses the problem of meeting the safety requirements of mining industry for implementation of control and monitoring equipment without external wiring. Local power generation and accumulation combined with remote control and wireless data transmission are suggested as an appropriate way to make the implementation of such devices safe and convenient, which in its turn would facilitate their wider application for automation and safety improvement. A rope shovel dipper trip system is discussed in detail as an example of a self-powered remotely-controlled system. Other possible applications of the concept are also identified, such as Armoured Face Conveyor (AFC) and water jet drilling operation monitoring. 2010-04-27T04:43:35.683Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5647 Rejoinder to separate Discussions by David Blockley, D.G. Elms, and Colin B. Brown of ‘Structural reliability theory in the context of structural safety’ by R.E. Melchers, Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, Volume 24, Number 1, March 2007, pp. 55–69. 2010-04-27T04:38:35.241Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5094 Many anesthesiologists would like to work part-time for various personal, financial, or other reasons. Many private anesthesia groups have no system in place for part-time practice to occur. The following list indicates some of the questions that arise when this topic is discussed. ; What is the minimum work level required of a part-time practitioner to remain competent? (For example, 1 or 2 days a week?) ; Is the part time clinician assigned more simple cases and fewer complex cases? If so, how does this impact his or her ability to take call? ; Is the clinical competence of a part-time practitioner reduced because he or she is part time? Even more fundamentally, how is competence in patient care defined? How is competence affected by what the part-timer does (eg, research, administration, stay at home with family) when not working clinically? ; How is the frequency of overnight call and in-house call distributed to the part-time person? ; How are health and retirements benefits apportioned to the part-time practitioner? ; Who qualifies in a group for part-time practice and why? ; Is there a limit on how long one can be on such a part-time track? How long can one take a break from practice before needing to consider some type of re-training? ; How many group members can be on the part-time track simultaneously? Does age matter? ; Surprisingly little is known about these issues. The goals of this article are to review the economic, quality, and safety issues surrounding part-time clinical anesthesia practice. Anesthesia groups need to be aware of the range of attitudes in the workplace regarding the increasing fraction of the anesthesia workforce that is part-time. Variability in how part-time practice is viewed affects issues such as perceived competence, job satisfaction, scheduling, and compensation of the part-time practitioner. 2010-04-27T04:35:44.965Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5288 Since the subordination of midwifery by medicine and nursing in the 19th and 20th centuries the standard approach to childbirth has been dominated by rationality. This approach proceeds by creating dichotomies and then prioritising one half of the dichotomy whilst rejecting the opposite term. Rationality itself is prioritised, for example, by contrasting it with the rejected opposite: irrationality. Expert clinical practice is, however, increasingly identified as being inclusive of more than merely rational ways of knowing and behaving. This paper is based on a post-structural study concerning changes to women's embodied sense of self during childbearing. We expose the limitations of pure rationality in the context of childbirth and use the concept of safety to exemplify the limitations that pure rationality imposes. The paper draws on philosophical and spiritual theory to present an analysis of ideas about mind, body, soul and spirit. The standard rational/irrational dichotomy is critiqued and contrasted with the embodied reality of nonrational experiences that are individual, contextual and 'in-the-moment'. Nonrational experiences are identified to be inclusive of power and knowledge that are both rational and nonrational. This revised conceptualisation provides a theoretical basis that allows for and promotes more possibilities and thus more holistic ways of knowing in midwifery. Our thesis is that midwives and women need to take conscious account of nonrational knowledge and power during the childbearing year. We argue that pure rational thinking limits possibilities by excluding the midwife's embodied ways of knowing along with the ways of knowing embodied by the woman. The inclusion of women's and midwives' nonrational ways of knowing in childbearing situations opens us up to knowledge and power that provides for a more complete, and therefore a more optimal, decision-making process. 2010-04-27T04:33:31.769Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5325 This paper uses numerical limit analysis to produce stability charts for rock slopes. These charts have been produced using the most recent version of the Hoek–Brown failure criterion. The applicability of this criterion is suited to isotropic and homogeneous intact rock, or heavily jointed rock masses. The rigorous limit analysis results were found to bracket the true slope stability number to within 79% or better, and the difference in safety factor between bound solutions and limit equilibrium analyses using the same Hoek–Brown failure criterion is less than 4%. The accuracy of using equivalent Mohr–Coulomb parameters to estimate the stability number has also been investigated. For steep slopes, it was found that using equivalent parameters produces poor estimates of safety factors and predictions of failure surface shapes. The reason for this lies in how these equivalent parameters are estimated, which is largely to do with estimating a suitable minor principal stress range. In order to obtain better equivalent parameter solutions, this paper proposes new equations for estimating the minor principal stress for steep and gentle slopes, which can be used to determine equivalent Mohr–Coulomb parameters. 2010-04-27T04:30:42.028Z ]]> http://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/uon:5313 MRSA colonisation or infection needs to be made a nationally notifiable disease, with a system in place to enable typing of isolates. As in WA, such a system would enable more effective identification of MRSA carriers before hospital admission, the detection of emerging epidemic strains, and timely investigation of MRSA outbreaks occurring in community groups, such as in aged care facilities. Most importantly, all states and territories need to adopt, and provide resources for, consistent, stringent approaches to surveillance, prevention and control of health care-associated MRSA that are in keeping with internationally recommended approaches. Given the scale of preventable injury occurring in many states, MRSA control must be made one of the highest priorities for patient safety. 2010-04-27T04:30:30.904Z ]]>