• Gold Technical Review Engineer and World Engineer Day (cover page 2)
  • Safety at work in difficult times (2)
    So far, in the monthly published by the Central Institute for Labor Protection - National Research Institute scientific magazine "Work Safety. Science and Practice ”we undertook many topics related to various health hazards that occur in the work environment. Every day, we publish articles on, for example, safe work with machines, work-life balance, labor law, cyber security, OSH and radiation management systems and concepts (from various fields) and its impact on the human body - just to name some of the challenges that we measure in the so-called quiet times.
  • Medical coronavirus (3)
    Coronaviruses are RNAs - viruses from the native Coronaviridae that can be mammals (including humans) or birds. Human coronavirus was first identified in the 1960s. Coronaviruses known to scientists attack the respiratory tract and are responsible for approx. 10-20% of the so-called ordinary colds. From time to time, however, a much more dangerous variety appears. That was in 2002, when the coronary appeared severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Coronaviruses - 21st century pathogens (6)
    Viruses are simple structures without cellular structure. In the composition of a single, active virus particle, i.e. virion, enters the nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat and, if present, a phospholipid coat. Viruses do not show the characteristics of living organisms, i.e. they do not divide outside the host cell, do not synthesize proteins on their own, nor do they replicate their genome on their own. Treatment of viral infections is difficult because viruses do not have their own metabolism that could be blocked, as can be done with bacteria using antibiotics. Therefore, most methods of treatment consist only in limiting the further development of infection in the patient's body.
  • PPE management during a pandemic (8)
    In Poland, as well as around the world, there is a pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the dangerous disease COVID-19. As it is a pathogen that is transmitted by droplet, not only hygiene in private and professional life of a human, but also the use of personal protective equipment is of particular importance. In the article, we present the legal framework that concerns the confirmation of compliance of personal protective equipment with the essential requirements for health protection, as well as the recommendations of leading organizations of global institutions (WHO, European Commission, etc.) in relation to the use of personal protective equipment - especially at work.
  • Eye and face protection against biological agents (11)
    In view of the possibility of an epidemic, the community in which such a threat has occurred, and on the other hand - doctors, nurses and other medical staff are facing serious exposure to biological agents. Invasion of pathogens into the body, mainly transmitted by droplet route, as well as through direct contact, can also take place through the conjunctival eyes. Therefore, when there is a likelihood of eye exposure to biological agents, it is recommended to use appropriate eye and face protection. The article discusses issues regarding the use of various types of eye and face protection in an environment where there are threats of biological agents.
  • Selection of filtering equipment for respiratory protection against nanoparticles - including viruses (14)
    The article contains basic information about the protection of the respiratory system against aerosols containing nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are more and more often encountered not only in work, due to the development of new technologies, but also in everyday life. The growing number of hazards coming through the respiratory tract, related to the development of industry, new technologies and environmental pollution is a situation that we have to face more and more often. The growing awareness of users of respiratory protection equipment regarding existing hazards is also extremely important from the point of view of public health. We have already got used to the sight of people in filtering masks protecting against smog on the streets of our cities.
  • Requirements, selection and use of protective suits during a pandemic (20)
    According to literature reports, the COSID-19 virus causing SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted mainly through the droplet route, however, due to its survival on different surfaces, including textile materials, it is advisable to use protective clothing in case of high risk of exposure.
  • Technical means of protecting the workplace from coronavirus (22)
    In the face of a pandemic, the vast majority of countries in the world have introduced more or less stringent restrictions, including in relation to movement as well as conducting certain types of economic activity. Despite this, many companies are still operating, we still go to work or drive, and some governments are already announcing a gradual easing of restrictions. This does not mean that the threat will pass quickly and the virus will cease to exist suddenly. However, there are technical ways to eliminate it from work rooms; methods of appropriate disinfection of these devices are also known - these methods are presented in the article.
  • The role of social networks in epidemic modeling (23)
    In modern societies, each individual belongs to many different social groups: from the smallest (immediate family, friends), to very large (e.g. the community of the entire city). Interpersonal interactions between individuals belonging to the same group are stronger than interactions between individuals from different social groups. In addition, the impact of an individual on a group is the greater the smaller the size of the group is. This is due to the fact that people belonging to small social groups spend more time together than people belonging to larger social groups. From the point of view of the spread of infection, it is contacts within the smallest groups that are the most effective pathways for pathogen transmission.
  • See the odds during a pandemic. Interview with Beata Dyraga (24)
  • A world of work during a pandemic. World Day for Safety and Health at Work - April 28 (25)
    On April 28, 2020, we celebrate another World Day for Safety and Health at Work proclaimed by the International Labor Organization (ILO). As every year, this is a time to think about the extent to which we ensure the safety of our employees and whether we protect their health sufficiently, what else should we do to improve their situation and better care for those most exposed. especially now it is taking a new dimension.
  • Enteropathogenic bacteria in the working environment of sewage treatment plants (27)
    Waters contaminated with sewage are a potential source of epidemiological threat, therefore employees of sewage treatment plants are a professional group particularly exposed to contact with bacterial enteropathogens during their professional activities. The source of these biological factors can be both bioaerosol, emitted during technological processes, as well as contact with sewage, sewage sludge or contaminated surfaces. Exposure to bacterial enteropathogens can become the cause of various health diseases and ailments, including both intestinal and parenteral infections. The main elements of preventing occupational hazards in this group of employees should be reliable risk assessment and the use of appropriate preventive measures.
  • Designing work - the need to redefine the approach to work-design (32)
    The aim of the article is to review approaches to work design as well as changes in the labor market that lead to a redefinition of the approach to work-design. The article describes concepts and approaches to designing work (both those known in Poland, as well as those to which less attention was given in Polish literature), which enjoyed the greatest interest in management and work sciences and for years shaped practical guidelines: scientific management Taylor, Herzberg's concept, Hackman's and Oldham's JCM model, Warr's vitamin model, Karask's requirements-control concept, interdisciplinary approach to promoting the work of Campion and Thayer. The most important changes on the labor market were also described, which influenced the need to expand the pool of features of work important from the point of view of employee well-being, while indicating the need to design work from the perspective of not only the individual but also the team, taking into account the impact and co-responsibility of employees.
  • Local reports (37)
  • Changes in law (38)
    • Medical and psychological examinations of persons applying for an entry or having an entry on the list of qualified physical security staff
    • Training for fire protection inspectors - changes in the regulation
  • We answer readers' questions (39)
    • I have been retired since last year. From April 1, 2020, I have been employed again and intend to work for another year or two. After finishing work, will the Social Insurance Institution calculate this bridge pension for me, including the years of work after the pension is granted?
    • Is an employee who has an accident on the way home from work entitled to a disability pension?
  • Reports from abroad (40)

Bezpieczeństwo Pracy (Work Safety) - full list