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Juhani Hassi

Publications and source records attributed to Juhani Hassi.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

A model for managing cold-related health and safety risks at workplaces.

Cold conditions increase health and safety risks at work in several ways. The effects of cold have not been sufficiently taken into consideration in occupational safety and health practices. A systematic model and methods were developed for managing cold-related health and safety risks at workplaces. The development work was performed, in a context-bound manner, in pilot industries and workplaces. The model can be integrated into the company's occupational health and safety management system, such as OHSAS 18001. The cold risks are identified and assessed by using a checklist. The preventive measures are systematically planned in a written form specifically produced for cold workplaces. It includes the organisational and technical preventive measures, protective clothing and personal protective equipment, as well as training and information of the personnel. According to the model, all the workers, foremen, occupational safety personnel and occupational health care personnel are trained to recognise the cold risks and to conduct preventive actions. The developed model was evaluated in the context of cold outdoor (construction) and indoor work (fish processing), and by occupational health and safety professionals. According to the feedback, the model and methods were easy to use after a one-day introduction session. The continuum between the cold risk assessment and management worked well, although there was some overlap in the documentation. The cold risk management model and its methods form an essential part of ISO CD 15743 Strategy for risk assessment, management and work practice in cold environments.

Cold Climate↗
PubMed2003

Health-check questionnaire for subjects exposed to cold.

BACKGROUND: Human exposure to cold outdoor and indoor temperatures below 10 degrees C may be associated with various cold-related sensations and symptoms. It is not possible to predict a person's survival ability only by assessing thermal environments; but individual screening is always required for good health care practice with regards to treatment and/or prevention. METHODS: As part of a development project, a health-check questionnaire was developed for the workers exposed to cold. The completion of the development was carried out in the framework of a Nordic collaboration. RESULTS: This was three-level medical screening protocol for detecting individual cold-related health ailments. "The health-check questionnaire for subjects exposed to cold" comprises the first step of the screening protocol. The medical screening was harmonized with the assessment practices for cold-related health risks in the workplaces. CONCLUSION: A "health-check questionnaire for subjects exposed to cold" was developed as the first step of the three-level medical screening for the detection of cold-related health ailments of individuals. The analogical assessment practices for the cold-related health risks in the workplaces were developed in the same project. They both aim towards the establishment of an ISO standard for working in cold environments.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMed2002

Usability of isothermal standards for cold risk assessment in the workplace.

In this study the usability of ISO thermal standards suitable for cold risk assessment in the workplace was evaluated. Persons who were not earlier familiar with the methods were trained to be able to perform the assessments. The assessments were conducted at two different stages according to method complexity, duration and need for expertise. The methods tested at stage 1 included observation and simple measurements (ISO CD 15265, ISO 8996, ISOTR 11079) and were assumed to be relatively simple to use. The methods tested at stage 2 included measurements and quantitative analyses (ISO 7726, ISO 8996, ISO 10551, ISO 9920, ISO 9886, ISO TR 11079). Training to use the methods was provided to the observers and measur ers. The assessments at stage 1 were performed by 5 observers repeated on three different occasions with 5 different workers. The measurements (stage 2) were conducted by four persons and repeated four times. A questionnaire concerning the usability of the method tested was filled in after each assessment. The results show that the methods of stage 1 were considered easy to adopt, the duration of the assessment was short (average 30 min), the results were easy to analyse and the amount of training was considered to be adequate. The methods of stage 2 were considered more laborious to perform and the total duration of the assessment was on average 4 h 40 min. Furthermore, the training provided was not considered to be entirely sufficient and additional instructions were frequently asked for, especially when analysing the results. Usable elements were recognised from the ISO thermal standards, which could be used at the more advanced stages of cold risk assessment.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed2002

The skin in the cold.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Body Temperature Regulation↗
PubMed2002

Incidence of frostbite and ambient temperature in Finland, 1986-1995. A national study based on hospital admissions.

OBJECTIVES: The association of frostbite with ambient temperature in Finland is not known. The present study determined the incidence of frostbite and its association with sex, age and ambient temperature in a nationwide sample. STUDY DESIGN: The first admissions of all patients (n=1,275) admitted to hospital in Finland during the period 1986-1995 with frostbite as a principal or secondary diagnosis were associated with ambient temperature on the day of admission. RESULTS: The incidence of frostbite was 2.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, it was higher in males than females and increased linearly with age. The annual incidence of frostbite started to rise at below -15 degrees C and was considerable at under -20 degrees C, particularly in northern Finland. However, the daily incidence increased most in the urban area of Helsinki. CONCLUSION: In the north, the main factor is the large number of cold days in the year. The daily incidence may be affected by urban lifestyle, possibly fashion, and inability to protect oneself against the cold.

Adolescent↗