Adaptive Process Control in Rubber Industry p.253 Rüdiger W. Brause, Ulf Pietruschka Prediction of Musculoskeletal Discomfort in a Pick and Place Task (A pilot study) p.271 Claudia P. Kruizinga, Nico J. Delleman Method for Evaluating Germicidal Ultraviolet Inactivation of Biocontaminated Surfaces p.287 Emily L. Gorsuch, Sergey A. Grinshpun, Klaus Willeke, Tiina Reponen, Clyde E. Moss, Paul A. Jensen Identification of Ergonomic-Related Hazards in an Industrial Sample Using the National Occupational Exposure Survey p.299 Robert J. Biersner, Francis J. Winn, Jr. Artificial Neural Networks Modern Systems for Safety Control p.317 Robert A. Kosiński, Cezary Kozłowski A System for Measuring Vertical Concentration Profiles of Gaseous Pollutants, Using Carbon Dioxide as a Case Study p.333 Alfred Micallef, Chris N. Deuchar, Jeremy J. Colls A Comparison of Skin Temperatures and Clothing Microclimate During Moderate Intermittent Exercise in the Cold Between One and Two Layers of Cotton and Polypropylene Underwear p.347 Minj a Ha, Hiromi Tokura, Kaori Yoden, Ingvar Holmér Measurement Accuracy of the Electrosensitive Protective Device Response Time When Using the Double Penetration Method p.363 Marek Dźwiarek

Conference Announcements: p.385

Contents Index to Volumes 1-3 I

Adaptive Process Control in Rubber Industry
Rüdiger W. Brause, Ulf Pietruschka

This paper describes the problems and an adaptive solution for process control in rubber industry. We show that the human and economical benefits of an adaptive solution for the approximation of process parameters are very attractive. The modeling of the industrial problem is done by the means of artificial neural networks. For the example of the extrusion of a rubber profile in tire production our method shows good results even using only a few training samples.

Prediction of Musculoskeletal Discomfort in a Pick and Place Task (A pilot study)
Claudia P. Kruizinga, Nico J. Delleman

A pilot study was conducted regarding the effects of working posture, handling frequency, and task duration on musculoskeletal discomfort. Participants rated their discomfort perceived while performing a repetitive task at 8 different combinations of manipulations. Pauses between the work periods lasted 15 min. Discomfort was rated according to Borg's category-ratio scale CR-10 and postures were recorded by an optoelectronic movement registration system. From linear multiple regression analysis equations for predicting discomfort at various body regions were obtained. Coefficients of determination especially point to trunk inclination and handling frequency as major determinants of musculoskeletal discomfort.

Method for Evaluating Germicidal Ultraviolet Inactivation of Biocontaminated Surfaces
Emily L. Gorsuch, Sergey A. Grinshpun, Klaus Willeke, Tiina Reponen, Clyde E. Moss, Paul A. Jensen

Safety issues related to work-site conditions often deal with potential worker exposure to infectious airborne microorganisms due to their dissemination in indoor air and contamination of surfaces. Germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) radiation is used in health-care settings and other occupational environments for microbial inactivation. In this study, a new methodology for determining the efficiency of GUV microbial inactivation of surfaces was developed and evaluated. The method utilizes identical chambers in which test microorganisms are irradiated on agar surfaces at different humidity and irradiation intensity levels. The effects of GUV intensity and exposure time on microbial inactivation were examined for Micrococcus luteus and Serratia marcescens. It was found that at low humidity levels (20 25%) both organisms can be inactivated with at least 95% efficiency if the GUV intensity exceeds 50 W/cm2 for at least 3 5 min (corresponding to a dose of ~10 mJ/cm2). The radiation dose needed for effective inactivation of S. marcescens, as measured by a UV meter near the microbial sample, was found not to be affected by the humidity level, whereas that of M. luteus increased at higher humidities. The findings of this study can be used to determine sufficient GUV inactivation doses for occupational environments with various microbial contaminations.

Identification of Ergonomic-Related Hazards in an Industrial Sample Using the National Occupational Exposure Survey
Robert J. Biersner, Francis J. Winn, Jr.

The National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) was used to determine probabilities for 4 potential physical-agent and 10 potential ergonomic-related exposure hazards among a representative sample of U.S. industries. Potential physical-agent hazard exposures, principally whole-body and segmental vibration, were highest among railroad and heavy construction industries. Several construction industries had high probabilities of potential ergonomic-related exposure hazards, especially to the back and upper extremities. Establishments with 100 to 249 employees had the highest probability of potential exposures to the 2 types of hazards. Measures of safety and health climate did not differ consistently between high-hazard and low-hazard establishments. This approach may help identify high-risk industries, evaluate interventions, and develop inspection strategies.

Artificial Neural Networks Modern Systems for Safety Control
Robert A. Kosiński, Cezary Kozłowski

A short review of the applications of artificial neural networks in different fields of industry with a description of their main properties is made. Such systems have specific properties typical for the human brain, which can decide on the superiority of artificial neural networks over standard control systems. Basic types of such networks as well as their principles of operation and successful applications are described. The application of artificial neural networks in safety engineering is discussed with stress on their special properties, which are necessary in safety critical systems.

A System for Measuring Vertical Concentration Profiles of Gaseous Pollutants, Using Carbon Dioxide as a Case Study
Alfred Micallef, Chris N. Deuchar, Jeremy J. Colls

An electronically-controlled sampling system, characterised by its organ pipe design, has been developed for sampling air sequentially, at different heights within the breathing zone. Data are automatically logged at the different receptor levels, for the determination of the average vertical concentration profile of gaseous pollutants. The system has been coupled to a carbon dioxide monitor and used in a brief study of the spatial and temporal variation of indoor carbon dioxide concentration. The system can easily be extended for different heights or modified for use with other types of gas monitor. The results of a trial run, which was carried out in a coffee room, are presented and applications of the Organ Pipe Sequential Sampling (OPSS) system are discussed.

A Comparison of Skin Temperatures and Clothing Microclimate During Moderate Intermittent Exercise in the Cold Between One and Two Layers of Cotton and Polypropylene Underwear
Minj a Ha, Hiromi Tokura, Kaori Yoden, Ingvar Holmér

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 2 kinds of underwear made from hydrophobic and hydrophilic fabrics on the mean skin temperatures and clothing microclimate (temperature, humidity) in participants performing intermittent exercise in cold environmental conditions. One or 2 layers of cotton underwear (C1, C2) with a 2-piece long-sleeved shirt and long-legged trousers, and 1 or 2 layers of polypropylene underwear (P1, P2) with a 2-piece long-sleeved shirt and long-legged trousers were used as experimental underwear. In addition, the participants wore a 2-piece ski suit as 100% polyester clothing including 100% polyester padding. Ten young adult females volunteered as participants. The experiments were performed in a climatic chamber at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 0°C and an air velocity of 0.26 m.s-1. The major findings are summarized as follows: (a) Although the clothing microclimate humidity was not different within ski suit of outer clothing between C1 and P1, it was significantly higher in P2 than in C2; (b) Clothing microclimate temperature inside the ski suit did not differ between C1 and P1, whereas it was significantly higher in P2 than in C2; (c) The thermal gradient between innermost and outermost of clothing microclimate at back level did not show any difference between C1 and P1, but it was significantly higher in C2 than in P2. These results are discussed in terms of thermal physiology and clothing sciences.

Measurement Accuracy of the Electrosensitive Protective Device Response Time When Using the Double Penetration Method
Marek Dźwiarek

The Double Penetration Method (DPM) method of measuring ESPD (Electrosensitive Protective Device) response time was presented by Dźwiarek measuring equipment is a crucial stage of the procedure. Experimental verification of theoretical predictions is also crucial. For calibration purposes, a device simulating a real ESPD operation thus enabling a correct setting of the response time was designed (Dzwiarek Theoretical analysis has shown that measuring ESPD response time with the DPM is subject to localisation errors made in the localisation of the detection zone border, rod position measurement errors made during high-speed penetration, and time delay measurement errors. The values of all those components of the total error have been determined experimentally using the calibrating device. Measurements have been taken under conditions as close to real ones as possible proving that the total measurement error is really enclosed within the assumed limits.