A cross-validation of a structural equation model of accidents: organizational and psychological variables as predictors of work safety

A study to establish a structural equation model of accidents is presented. The eight variables included in the model were those associated with accidents in previous research. The reliability of questionnaires to measure those variables and a structural equation model relating them are provided. The model explaining the occurrence of accidents was cross-validated through three Spanish samples (n=123; 182; 124).The model presented a good fit to data in two samples, while a third had unclear fit indices. Therefore, most relationships among variables did not vary among these three samples. The role of the safety variables in the model is discussed. The discussion is also focused on risk measurement difficulties commonly reported in the literature. Finally, some suggestions for future safety research with structural equation modelling techniques are provided.     

米氮平治疗广泛性焦虑症的临床观察

目的探讨米氮平治疗广泛性焦虑症(GAD)的临床疗效及安全性。方法共85例广泛性焦虑症患者入组,米氮平治疗46例,对照观察组39例,共观察8周,使用HAMA判断疗效,并记录不良反应。结果74例完成研究(米氮平41例,对照组33例)。研究终点,米氮平组HAMA减分平均为12.5±5.8,对照组减分平均为7.7±6.5,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=3.35,P(0.01);米氮平治疗后14天及其后各随访点HAMA减分与观察组比较差异均有统计学意义;米氮平治疗GAD的有效率71%,显著优于观察组(39%)(2χ=7.32,P<0.01);米氮平的主要不良反应为体重增加、食欲增强、嗜睡及头晕。结论米氮平治疗GAD有效,依从性高,不良反应不多见,可作为临床治疗GAD的一种选择。     

Regular physical exercise in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

It is widely accepted that regular physical exercise helps diabetic patients control blood glucose, reduce cardiovascular risk factors, and prevent other related complications. In spite of the undoubted benefits of regular physical exercise, diabetic patients with chronic complications should be aware of potential hazards of practicing exercise. To avoid some harmful consequences of acute exercise, it is necessary to adopt a vigilant attitude with these risk patients and to carefully adjust type and intensity of exercise to the individual situation. This article intends to summarize and analyze the current literature concerning the preventive and therapeutic effects of regular exercise in diabetic patients, pointing out its physiological influence on blood glucose regulation, and to analyze the potential risks of acute physical exercise and the precautions given to patients with a variety of complications.     

Small Parts Aspiration, Ingestion, and Choking in Small Children: Findings of the Small Parts Research Project

Obtaining information on current child injury trends and their associated issues is an important factor in developing products that meet or surpass acceptable toy safety boundaries. Understanding these boundaries helps determine safe product design characteristics that reduce the risk of product-related injury. Inchcape Testing Services developed a Small Parts Aspiration, Ingestion, and Choking Hazards Research Project, independent of an ongoing consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) project. The project's purpose was to determine, independent of CPSC, whether a more stringent small parts regulatory standard was necessary and, if so, to ensure that the standard was determined objectively. This article reports on the project's findings relating to critical characteristics (size, shape, and consistency) relative to the victim's age, of objects responsible for child choking injuries and fatalities.     

美国食品安全的监管变革及其对我国的启示

美国《FDA食品安全现代法》的出台,标志着美国对原有食品安全监管体系进行了彻底变革,其力度之大、范围之广以及程度之深,不仅在联邦食品药品管理局成立的70余年历史上是前所未有的,而且在全世界范围内也堪称一部模范性法律,一定程度上代表了今后食品安全监管改革的方向.由于采取了相似的管理体制,并且同样面临着食品来源多样以及监管资源不足等挑战,中、美两国在食品安全监管领域面临的很多问题都是共通的,因此,美国的变革举措尤其是强调预防控制的新思路理应为中国所借鉴.     

协同性、竞争战略与涉农（食品）供应链的可追溯性

目前有关农产品（食品）安全追溯性的研究虽然不断深化,但那些能够促使相关节点主动、自觉地采取追溯的方面却未得到足够重视。文章认为,应从供应链管理角度认识涉农（食品）安全可追溯体系的本质,在动态过程中实现涉农供应链追溯模式的转换,发展模块化的追溯技术,使可追溯体系作为涉农供应链竞争战略一个重要组成部分而存在。     

我国《食品安全法》的审视与完善

两年多来,我国《食品安全法》实施情况如何,值得审视。实践中具有哪些积极意义,还存在哪些问题;通过借鉴发达国家有关食品安全方面的法律制度和成功经验,提出立法完善意见和政策建议。     

消费者对食品质量安全标识支付意愿实证研究——以南京市猪肉消费为例

消费者对质量安全标识的支付意愿和支付行为是决定食品安全标识制度能否有效运行的重要因素,准确测度消费者对质量安全标识的支付意愿对于食品安全标识制度的完善具有重要意义。国内以往研究多采用假想价值评估法(CVM)对单一标识的支付意愿进行测度,但由于商品价值通常由其内含的各种特征的价值共同决定,单独测度某一标识的支付意愿会忽略不同特征间的交互影响。以猪肉质量安全标识作为研究对象,采用选择实验模型法(CE)测度多种质量安全标识共存条件下的消费者支付意愿。研究结果表明:对食品加贴不同种类的标签标识都有助于提高消费者的效用水平;我国消费者对质量安全标识的支付意愿较高;可追溯标识一定程度上能够增加消费者对安全认证标识的信任度进而提高其支付意愿;原产地标识对安全认证标识的支付意愿影响不大,但可以强化消费者对产品质量品质的信任度。     

12-h workdays: current knowledge and future directions

Work schedules other than those based on the traditional 8-h workday duration have become much more common in recent years. Many such schedules compress the work week into three or four longer workdays and include an increased number of days off. In particular, rosters based on 12-h workdays have gained in popularity, and such rosters have been the focus of considerable research. The literature on 12-h workdays is, however, full of inconsistencies. Not surprisingly, there is considerable evidence from some of these studies that 12-h shifts tend to cause more fatigue than 8-h shifts. This extra fatigue may be associated with lower work efficiency, and with more errors and accidents. There is also strong evidence that workers prefer 12-h shifts due to some perceived advantages. The present paper reviews and examines these studies and their findings and discusses some possible reasons for the apparent contradictions in reported findings. Directions for decision makers and future research are suggested.     

Developing a factor model of coal miners’ attributions on risk-taking at work

This paper details a survey of coal miners’ views on the bases for risk-taking. While literature exists on the subject of risk-taking in mines, comparatively few studies have sought to elicit the views of mine personnel themselves. An 83-item questionnaire, grounded upon insights from an earlier qualitative study, was developed and distributed to a sample of mine personnel (N=932). Results were analysed by means of principal components, factor analysis, an iterative refinement of the data set resulting in the development of a three-factor model that was considered to reflect potentially important dispositional influences on risk-taking amongst operational staff in mines. Derived constructs, identified as time pressure, management commitment and confidence in ability to control risk, were found to possess moderate to high levels of internal consistency (α statistic) and high face validity. Findings are discussed with reference to insights from both cognitive risk research and more recent work within the safety culture/climate framework.