TECHNICAL RECORD

Title
Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SHO 2012
Authors/Editors
Arezes, P., Baptista, J.S., Barroso, M.P., Carneiro, P., Cordeiro, P., Costa, N., Melo, R., Miguel, A.S., Perestrelo, G.P.
Publisher
Portuguese Society of Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SPOSHO)
Date
February 2012
Cover Design and Programming
Manuela Fernandes and Luis Coutinho
ISBN
978-972-99504-9-0
This edition is published by the Portuguese Society of Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SPOSHO, 2012.

Portuguese National Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

Occupational Safety and Hygiene - SHO2012

edited by Arezes, P., Baptista, J.S., Barroso, M.P., Carneiro, P., Cordeiro, P., Costa, N., Melo, R., Miguel, A.S., Perestrelo, G.P.
Includes biographical references and index.
ISBN 978-972-99504-9-0
1. Safety. 2. Hygiene. 3. Industrial. 4. Ergonomics. 5. Occupational.
Publisher: Sociedade Portuguesa de Segurança e HigieneOcupacionais (SPOSHO)
Occupational Safety Hygiene SHO Series
Publisher Prefix: 972-99504
Book in 1 volume, 672 pages

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© 2012 by SPOSHO
ISBN 978-972-99504-9-0
Organizing Committee
Chairman
A. Sérgio Miguel Universidade do Minho
Secretary
Pedro Arezes Universidade do Minho
Members
Gonçalo Perestrelo SMGP
J. Santos Baptista FEUP
Mónica Barroso Universidade do Minho
Nélson Costa Universidade do Minho
Patrício Cordeiro Universidade do Minho
Paula Carneiro Universidade do Minho
Rui Melo Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
International Scientific Committee
A. Sérgio Miguel Universidade do Minho Portugal
Alain Garrigou Université Bordeaux I France
Álvaro Cunha Universidade do Porto Portugal
Anabela Simões Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências Portugal
Andrew Hale TU Delft The Netherlands
Ângela Malcata Instituto Superior da Maia Portugal
Antonio Barbedo de Magalhães Universidade do Porto Portugal
Béda Barkokebas Júnior Universidade de Pernambuco Brazil
C. Guedes Soares Inst. Superior Técnico Universidade Técnica de
Lisboa Portugal
Camilo Valverde Universidade Católica Portuguesa Portugal
Carla Barros Universidade Fernando Pessoa Portugal
Catarina Silva Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de
Lisboa Portugal
Celeste Jacinto Fac. Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade Nova de
Lisboa Portugal
Cezar Benoliel Associação Latino-Americana de Engenharia de
Segurança no Trabalho Brazil
Denis Coelho Universidade da Beira Interior Portugal
Divo Quintela Fac. Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade de Coimbra
Portugal
Duarte Nuno Vieira Inst. Nacional de Medicina Legal Portugal
Eduardo Garcia Ortiz Universidade de León Spain
Enda Fallon National University of Ireland Ireland
Enrico Cagno Politecnico di Milano Italy
Evaldo Valladão Pereira SOBES-Rio Brazil
Ewa Kotarbinska Warsaw University of Technology Poland
Fernanda Rodrigues Dep. Engenharia Civil Universidade de Aveiro
Portugal
Fernando Amaral Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Brazil
Filomena Carnide Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica
de Lisboa Portugal
Florentino Serranheira Esc. Nacional de Saúde Pública
Universidade Nova de Lisboa Portugal
Francis La Ferla University of Malta Malta
Francisco Fraga Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Spain
Francisco Rebelo Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica
de Lisboa Portugal
Hamilton Júnior Universidade Federal do Paraná Brazil
Ignácio Pavon Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Spain
Ioannis Papazoglou National Centre for Scientific Research
Demokritos Greece
Isabel Lopes Nunes Fac. Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade Nova
de Lisboa Portugal
J. Cardoso Teixeira Universidade do Minho Portugal
J. L. Bento Coelho Inst. Superior Técnico Universidade Técnica de
Lisboa Portugal
J. Torres da Costa Fac. de Medicina Universidade do Porto Portugal
Jacques Malchaire Université Catholique de Louvain Belgium
João Carlos Q. Dias Instituto Superior Engenharia de Lisboa
Portugal
João Paulo Rodrigues Fac. Ciência e Tecnologia da Universidade de
Coimbra Portugal
João Porto Fac. de Engenharia Universidade do Porto Portugal
João Prista Esc. Nacional de Saúde Pública Universidade Nova de
Lisboa Portugal
João Santos Baptista Fac. de Engenharia Universidade do Porto
Portugal
João Ventura Inst. Superior Técnico Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
Portugal
John Wilson University of Nottingham United Kingdom
Jorge Patrício Lab. Nacional de Engenharia Civil Portugal
Jorge Santos Inst. de Educação e Psicologia Universidade do Minho
Portugal
José Carvalhais Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de
Lisboa Portugal
José Keating Inst. de Educação e Psicologia Universidade do Minho
Portugal
José L. Meliá Universitat de València Spain
July Issy Universidade de Brasília Brazil
Ken Parsons Loughborough University United Kingdom
Laura Martins Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Brazil
Luis Franz Universidade Federal da Pampa Brazil
Luís Graça Esc. Nacional de Saúde Pública Universidade Nova de
Lisboa Portugal
Luísa Lima Ins. de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa Universidade
Técnica de Lisboa Portugal
Luiz Bueno Universidade Federal da Paraíba Brazil
Manel Fernandez Associacion Española de Prevencion y Salud
Laboral Spain
Marcelo Soares Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Brazil
Maria Pacciana Instituto Nazionale Assicurazione contro gli
Infortuni sul Lavoro Italy
Maria Teresa Vasconcelos Fac. de Ciências Universidade do Porto
Portugal
Marianne Lacomblez Fac. Psicologia e Ciências da Educação
Universidade do Porto Portugal
Marino Menozzi Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Switzerland
Mário Vaz Fac. de Engenharia Universidade do Porto Portugal
Marta Santos Fac. Psicologia e Ciências da Educação Universidade
do Porto Portugal
Miguel Tato Diogo Fac. Engenharia Universidade do Porto Portugal
Miquel Cabeças Fac. Ciências e Tecnologia Universidade Nova de
Lisboa Portugal
Mohammad Shariari Chalmers University of Thecnology Sweden
Mónica Barroso Universidade do Minho Portugal
Olga Mayan Inst. Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar Universidade do
Porto Portugal
Paul Swuste TU Delft The Netherlands
Paulo Noriega Faculdade de Motricidade Humana UTL Portugal
Portugal
Paulo Vila-Real Universidade de Aveiro Portugal
Pedro Arezes Universidade do Minho Portugal
Pedro Mondelo Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya Spain
Pere Sanz Gallén University of Barcelona Spain
Raquel Santos Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de
Lisboa Portugal
Ravindra Goonetilleke Hong Kong Univiversity of Science and
Technology Hong Kong
Ricardo Vasconcelos Fac. Psicologia e Ciências da Educação
Universidade do Porto Portugal
Rubén Balsamello Assoc. Latino-Americana de Eng. de Segurança
no Trabalho Argentina
Rui Garganta Fac. de Desporto da Universidade do Porto Portugal
Rui Melo Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
Portugal
S. Massano Cardoso Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de
Coimbra Portugal
Samir Gerges Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Brazil
Santiago Días de Freijo Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Spain
Sergio Carporali Universidad de Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
Sílvia Silva Inst. de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa Universidade
Técnica de Lisboa Portugal
Teresa Cotrim Fac. Motricidade Humana Universidade Técnica de
Lisboa Portugal
Timo Kauppinen Finnish Instittute of Occupational Health Finland
Waldemar Karwowski University of Central Florida USA
Yasemin Erensal Dogus University of Instanbul Turkey
INDEX OF AUTHORS
A Cavalcanti, Sandra Lima 397
Abrantes, João 549 Cavaleiro, Rita 162
Abreu, Luís 255 Coelho, António L. 324
Abreu, Maria José 1 Conde, Jorge 370
Afonso, P. 484 Cordeiro, Elisabete 167
Albizu, Evelyn 7 Correia, Lidia 194, 267
Albuquerque Neto, H. C. 628 Costa Junior, Hamilton 7
Alcantara, Paulo Guilherme de França 560, 568 Costa, Angelica Moreira 147
Almeida, Carina 14 Costa, Cláudia 174, 532, 542
Almeida, Cipriano 19 Costa, J. C. A. 628
Almeida, João 26, 72, 135 Costa, Luciano Carlos Azevedo da 560, 568
Almeida, Luis 33 Costa, Renata Paiva 180
Alves, Anabela 350 Costa, Rui 186
Alves-Pereira, Mariana 135 Cotrim, Teresa 99, 194, 262, 267, 538
Amaro, Luís 278 Coutinho, Telmo 516
Araruna, Raquel Ferreira 38, 180 Couto, Armanda 205
Araújo, José 42 Couto, João 199, 205
Arcanjo, Cláudia 255 Cruz, Pedro 80
Arezes, P. 155, 224, 311, 338, 452, 484, 597 Cruz, Rui Manuel 19
Assis, Thiago de Oliveira 38 D
Assunção, Ana 42 Damas, Patrícia 211
Azevedo, Rui 48, 422 Dias, Nuno 219
B Diogo, M. Tato 19, 380, 445, 471, 478
Baptista, J. dos Santos 19, 380, 433, 471, 478, 601 Domingues, Pedro 224
Barbedo de Magalhães, António P. 282, 452 Duarte, E. 504
Barbosa, E. A. 628 Duarte, Sérgio 231
Barbosa, Fernando 375 F
Barkokébas Jr, Béda 52, 311, 612 Faria, Aurélio 549
Barros, Henrique 344 Farias, Roberto 527
Barros-Duarte, C. 59 Farias, Sheila Carla 38
Barroso, Mónica 48, 104 Fechine, Roberta 180
Bateira, Carlos 433 Fernandes da Silva, Carlos 99, 267
Batista, Sónia Varela 288 Fernandes, Eduardo de Oliveira 344
Bitaraf, Saminehsadat 65 Fernandes, Maura 237
Bolonha, Tiago 72 Ferreira, Ana 72, 135, 162, 211, 255, 370
Borba, José Tharciso Bulcão 527 Ferreira, Daniela 243
Borges, Vítor 237 Ferreira, Isabel 249
Braga, A. Cristina 104 Fidalgo, Andreia 255
Brasil, Camila Campos Grossi 147 Figueiredo, João 72, 211, 255, 370
C Figueiredo, João Paulo 135, 162
Cabeças, José Miquel 80 Figueiredo, Miguel 262
Calado, Eurico 555 Franca, Jefferson Fernandes 180
Calderόn, Marlene 87 Franca, Veruschka Vieira 397
Camelo, Sandra 278 Francisco, Cláudia 194, 267
Campos e Cunha, Rita 94, 428 Freitas, Ana Cristina 592
Canuto, Daniel 194 Fujão, Carlos 186, 592
Capelo, Carla 99 Furtado, Dermeval Araújo 527
Carneiro, Paula 104 G
Carnide, Filomena 42 Gabriel, Ronaldo 549
Carolino, Elisabete 648 Garganta, Rui 273
Carrillo, Jesús 111, 116, 121 Gomes, Alexandre E. 237
Carvalhais, José 262 Gomes, Silvia 194
Carvalho, Alberto 422 Gómez, María Almudena 116
Carvalho, Fernando P. 126, 131 Gonçalves, Carla 278
Carvalho, Tiago 135 Gonçalves, Claudia 7
Castañon, José Alberto Barroso 142, 147 Gonçalves, Fernando J. F. 282
Castellucci, Héctor Ignacio 155, 654 Graça, Helena Isabel Lopes 288
Castro, L. C. 142 Guerreiro, Fernando 255

VI
INDEX OF AUTHORS
Guerreiro, Filipe 273 N
H Nascimento, José Wallace
527
Hazin, Márcia 365 Barbosa
Neves, Andreia 409
Heupa, Adriana 7
Noriega, P. 504
I
Nunes, Cláudia 416
Iglesias, Francisco Javier 606
Nunes, Fernando M. D. Oliveira 288
Istochka, Elena 294
Nunes, Isabel L. 219, 460
Ivanova, Katsiaryna 294
Ivascu, Larisa 305 O
Oliveira, João M. 126
Izvercianu, Monica 299, 305
Oliveira, Carla 14
K
Oliveira, Carlos 186, 498
Krzemień, Alicja 606
Oliveira, Elsa 422
L
Oliveira, Larissa Carrera 38
Lacerda, Adriana 7
Oliveira, Maria João 94, 428
Lago, Eliane M G 311
Onieva, Luis 111, 116, 121
Leão, Celina P. 338, 350
Leça Coelho, António 167
P
Paciência, Inês 344
Leones, A. 59
Padrão, Patrícia 278
Lima, S da S. M. 142
Palhinha, Paulo 357
Linhares, Virgínia 409
Patrício, Paulo 433
Lopes, José Pedro 318, 324
Pereira, Helena 273
López-Arquillos, Antonio 333
Pérez, Ventura 121
Loureiro, Isabel. F. 338
Piccinini, Giulio Francesco 438
Lourenço, Irina 416
Pinheiro, Francisco Alves 445
Lourenço, Rosete 255
Pinho, Maria Eugénia R. C. 452
M
Pinho, Olívia 278
Madureira, Joana 344
Pinto, Abel 460
Maia, Laura C. 350
Pinto, Mário 466
Malta, Margarida 126
Prufer, Caroline 273
Malta-Vacas, Joana 643
Manteigas, Vitor 648
Q
Quelhas Costa, Emília 471, 478
Marçalo, T. 504
Marinho, Tatianne Barros 560, 568 R
Radu, Alina 299
Martins, A. E. 142
Ramos, Delfina 33, 484
Martins, Cláudio 357
Ramos, Elisabete 344
Martins, Cristina 48
Rebelo, Andreia 243, 466
Martins, Felipe Andrade 397
Rebelo, F. 504
Martins, Jorge 597
Rebelo, Manuel 490
Martins, Laura 365
Reis Campos, José C. 452
Martins, Mafalda 262
Reis, Cristina 498
Martins, Margarida 370
Rey-Merchán, María del Carmen 333
Masculo, Francisco 392
Ribeiro, J. 504
Matos, M. Luísa 375, 380
Ribeiro, Rita A. 460
Mats, Lindgren 294
Riesgo, Pedro 606
Mattosinho, Cynthia Marise dos Santos 397
Rodrigues, Anabela 510
Medalho, Ana 255
Rodrigues, Carlos Manuel 438
Melo, Maria B.F.V. 386, 620
Rodrigues, Fernanda 516
Melo, Miguel 392
Rodrigues, João Paulo 318, 324, 576, 584
Melo, Rui Bettencourt 510
Rodrigues, Matilde A. 422
Miguel, A. S. 521
Rubio-Romero, Juan Carlos 333
Monteiro, Ana 648
Monteiro, Lola 255 S
Sá, Maria Manuel 48
Monteiro, Luciano Fernandes 397, 527
Sabino, Raquel 643
Moreira, A. 59
Sampaio, Paulo 26, 224, 409
Moreira, Cláudia 403
Santos, Cristina 162
Moreira, D. 59
Santos, Gilberto 26, 490
Moreira, Maria 549
Santos, J. 282, 521
Moreira, Pedro 278
Santos, Joana 243, 416, 466

VII
INDEX OF AUTHORS
Santos, Maria Betania Gama 397, 527 Sousa, António Oliveira 601
Santos, Marta 249 Sousa, Vanessa 243
Santos, Paula 375 Souza, Erivaldo Lopes de 560, 568
Santos, Paulo 357 Souza, Milena R. 612
Santos, Roberta de Lourdes Silva dos 560, 568 Straume, Askan 654
Saraiva, David 174, 532, 542 Suárez, Ana 606
Saraiva, Pedro 409 T
Seixas, Adérito 403 Teixeira, José 48
Serra e Silva, Luís 357 Teixeira, L. 504
Serranheira, Florentino 538 Teixeira, Vitor 278
Shahriari, Mohammad 65, 294 V
Silva, Catarina 174, 262, 532, 542 Vasconcelos, Bianca M. 52, 612
Silva, David 549 Vasconcelos, C. I. S. 628
Silva, Gabriela 278 Vasconcelos, Diogo S.C. 386, 620
Silva, Hélder 555 Vasconcelos, Ricardo 231
Silva, Luiz Bueno da 392, 560, 568 Vasconcelos, S. C. S. 628
Silva, Manuela Vieira 243, 416, 422, 466 Vaz, Mário A. Pires 452
Silva, Samuel Carmo 576, 584 Veloso Neto, Hernâni 636
Silva, Sofia 42 Victor, Márcio Melo 38
Silva, Tatiana Regina Fortes 52 Viegas, Carla 643, 648
Silva, Virgílio 592 Viegas, Susana 648
Simões, Anabela 438 Vieira, Filomena 42
Simões, Hélder 135, 211, 255 Vilar, E. 504
Simões, Paulo 597 Vitorio, Daiana 392
Soares, Matheus dos Santos 38 Viviani, Carlos 654
Soares, Pedro 273

VIII
PAPERS - alphabetic order

A compared study of the required autoprotection measures in buildings with distinct features 510
A Study of the Thermal Comfort in Surface Car Park Booths, Managed by a Municipal Company in Lisbon 555
A survey of ergonomics in a group of Portuguese and Chilean small and medium-sized enterprises. 155
Abandonment and Accessibility in Historic Buildings: a study of the railway stations of Central do Brazil Station and Leopoldina - Juiz de
147
Fora, MG
Agents approach to Occupational Health and Safety at construction sites 142
Analysis and risk assessment of work-related MSDs in nurses and nurse assistants 219
Analysis of the relation between the implementation of the directive yard and the accidents in the construction 498
Analysis of the Risk of Accidents in Construction Activities in the Foundation works of a Shopping Center 612
Assessing the participatory dimension of a hands-on training intervention on Industrial and Environmental Safety in a Chemicals Plant in
231
Portugal
Audiological Findings among Workers from Brazilian Food Industry Exposed to Continuous and Impulsive Noise 7
Balanced Scorecard in an OHS Management System through Imprecise Ratio Statements: a case study 606
Barriers to organizational learning with work accidents 636
Bayesian modeling approach for data analysis of acoustic comfort in classrooms of primary education in Joao Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil 568
Behavioural compliance with emergency exit signs - Pilot test in Virtual Reality 504
Biological hazards in dental clinics: Ascertainment of exposure to health workers 162
BLEVE of a road tanker LPG - A Short Review 433
Car Driving Integrated Auxiliary Equipment Design 597
Causes for the Failures on Safety in the Rehabilitation 205
Chemical exposure in a pathological anatomy department 237
Citizen Education and the theme of Occupational Safety and Health in Portugal and in Brazil: Formation or information to prevention? 282
Clients’ Ergonomic factors Knowledge and its Influence on the Ergonomic Intervention 338
Comparative Study of Methods of Analysis Work Accidents in Hospital Context 416
Complementarity of risk assessment methods 186
Cost/Benefit Analysis in Occupational Health and Safety: CBAOHS Model 484
Development of a safety training program for electricians and locksmiths at a metalworking company, based on a competency approach 592
Do Lean Methodologies include ergonomic tools? 350
Education in Prevention using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at construction works 333
Effect of an exercise program in work environment on musculoskeletal disorders. Report of an experience in administrative workers 273
Effects of mismatched school furniture and morphological adolescent characteristics within different maturation levels on the prevalence of
42
back pain
Effects of thermal environment on cognitive response in sedentary activities. A short revision 471
Emergency Measures in the Regulation of Fire Safety in Buildings 576
Ergonomic evaluation of the job of the blacksmith of civil construction in brazil. 180
Ergonomic Problem Analysis: Applying the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment Method in a Hospital of the Paulo Afonso/BA/Brazil 397
Ergonomic Work Analysis contributions: observational nursing activity analysis in a hospital ward 538
Ergonomics Aspects and Mental Workload of Operators of Electric Power Control Centers: Case Studies in Northeast Brazil 392
Ergonomics in construction 72
Ethics and Social Responsibility: healthy labor environment and management of the waste generated in the constructive process 386
Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality in Day Care Centres for the Elderly 466
Exposure to fibres in the Occupational Environment 375
Exposure to forest fires, radioactivity and health risks 126
Falls in hospital environment – risks and consequences (case study from distrital hospital in Figueira da Foz) 370
Food and Beverage Establishments: an Indoor Air Quality Study of Kitchens 243
Forecasting the risk of WRMSDs in home care nurses 104
From Crisis to Mindfulness 94
Health and safety on small fishing vessels 87

IX
PAPERS - alphabetic order

Human behavior under fire situations – portuguese population 167

In the backstage of consumption: the risks that remain invisible in the evaluation of working conditions 59
Indoor Air Quality in Primary Schools and in Homes and its Impact on Children´s Health - Study Design 344
Influence of ventilation type in microbial volatile organic compounds exposure – Poultry case 648
Integrated management systems – quality, environment and health and safety: motivations, benefits, difficulties and critical success factors 26
Integrated Management Systems: On the path to maturity and efficiency assessment 224
Integration of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System with the Quality Management System and Environmental
490
Management System - from the Theory to the Action
Latest developments on musculoskeletal disorders research: a literature review 452
LEAN Principles Applied to the Safety Management in the Construction Sector 516
Liability Risk Assessment at Skarvik Port 294
Manual therapy in chronic bursitis shoulder in workers of a productive sector of an industry in brazil 38
Modelling of the Interaction between Water and Fire 318
Molecular biology versus conventional methods – Complementary methodologies to understand occupational exposure to fungi 643
Nanotechnologies are Safe? New Demand for Standardization 33
Noise delimitation on civil construction equipments - Propagation and interference 311
Noise Exposure in School Ambient 255
Noise Levels in Hospital Environment – The Case of Intensive Care Units 521
Occupational Exposure to Dust in Open Pit Mining. A Short Review. 380
Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation in non-nuclear industries and the European radiation protection basic safety standards 131
Occupational noise in buses 211
Occupational Risk Assessment - An Element of Sustainable Enterprise 305
Patient Handling: Applying the DINO Method among Portuguese Nurses 194
Postural Stability Assessment during Manual Material Handling Tasks – Case Study 48
Prevention of airborne disposal from staff in the O.R. reducing the risk of infection: What are the benefits of using clean air suits or scrub
1
suits?
Production of low frequency noise in highways and railways 135
Psychophysical study of manual loads transportation - a comparative study between students and seasoned workers 422
Qualitative Occupational Risk Assessment model – an introduction 460
Reflections on the work capacity of teachers in schools environments of João Pessoa-Brazil 560
Relationship between Age, Work Ability and Physical Demands: Study on Sanitation Sector of a Municipal Service 262
Relationship between intensification of the activities and the work accidents on construction sites 199
Risk analysis of accidents in activity mining: The case of mining Serra Branca/Brazil 628
Risk Assessment and Decision Support 65
Risk Assessment in Analytical Laboratories 288
Risk assessment process at an administrative services company, well-organized in terms of OHS 80
Road (Un)Safety: A Comparative Analysis Brazil vs. Portugal 445
Safety and Health in Construction: Asbestos 357
Safety at work and worker profile: analysis of the manufacturing sector in Andalusia in 2008 116
Self-protection Measures and the Portuguese Regulation of Fire Safety In Buildings 584
Severity Factors of Accidents: Analysis of the Manufacturing Sector in Andalusia 111
Situations of serious and imminent danger: proposal of a methodology for preparedness in campsites 19
Sodium Content in Vegetable Soups Prepared Outside the Home: Identifying the Problem 278
Temporal characteristics of foot roll-over during walking with a side-cut maneuver: A comparison between obese and non-obese
549
postmenopausal women
Temporary work: perspectives and risks 249
The Elderly: Fall v Perception of the Environment 365
The Less Visible Side of the Work Effects on Health: Reflection on the Emergence of Psychosocial Risks 542

X
PAPERS - alphabetic order

The management systems and the performance indicators - the integration way 409
The Night Splint in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Impact on Functionality and Quality of Life 14
The Role of Human Resources as Part of Corporate Social Responsibility in Increasing Competitiveness 299
The State of Working Conditions: “We”, Portugal and Europe. Comparative Analysis 174
The synergism between the Occupational Health and Safety Management and Environmental Management – A case study 620
Thermal Environment and Productivity in Sedentary Activities. A Short Review 478
Thermal Environment in Underground Mining Activities: An Integrated Approach 601
Urban Fire Risk Evaluation and the Municipal Emergency Plans 324
Usability principles applied to the design of a social benefit internet portal 654
Usage and effectiveness of Adaptive Cruise Control: a focus group study 438
Use of Geoestatistics for Spatial Characterization of Thermal and Acoustic Environment for Building Sheds in Broilers 527
Use of ICT on Offices: Impact on Task Characteristics and Workers' Health 532
When the Unexpected Attacks 428
Which companies have more accidents? Analysis of the companies of the manufacturing sector in Andalusia 121
Work Ability and Patient Handling Occupational Risk Perception among Nurses 267
Work Ability, Individual and Occupational Factors among Nurses and Nursing Assistants in a Private Hospital 99
Work safety management on vertical transportation equipments in the construction industry 52
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Portuguese Physiotherapists 403

XI
Risk Assessment in Analytical Laboratories
Graça, Helena Isabel Lopesa; Batista, Sónia Varelaa; Nunes, Fernando M. D. Oliveirab
a
Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências (ISEC), Alameda das Linhas de Torres, 179, 1750-141 Lisboa, email:
lenalopesg@gmail.com, soniavarelabatista@gmail.com; bInstituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL), Rua
Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1959-007 Lisboa, email: fnunes@segilabor.pt

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to develop a method of risk assessment applied to tests carried out in analytical laboratories, drawing
on a configurable methodology that allows to include multiple indexes with different weights and adjustable scales of the
same. To collect the information needed to characterize the method of evaluation was essential to examine existing
procedures and observe in detail the various tests carried out in order to record data such as processing times of tasks,
information contained in safety data sheets for chemicals used , reagent / culture medium and processed information of
the equipment involved in the various procedures, among others. The developed model was applied to two different
laboratory settings in the area of public health: a microbiological laboratory and a laboratory analysis of water, in order to
prove its usability.

Keywords: Risk Assessment; Matrix Method, Laboratories, Chemical Hazards, Biological Hazards.

1. INTRODUCTION
The multiplicity of risk factors present in the activities of analytical laboratories leads to poor quality results with the use
of best known and popularized risk assessment matrix methods. This is because those methods more suitable for
accidents risk assessment, fail to reflect with sufficient accuracy the formation of the risk factors most important in that
kind of activity. This aspect are the risks associated with chemical and biological risk factors, that in the traditional
methods are usually not adequately represented.
The present article thus develop a method for assessing the risks associated with testing carried out in analytical
laboratories, inspired by a configurable methodology that allows the inclusion of various indexes with adjustable scales
and differentiated weights of them (Nunes, 2010a), so to achieve a better reproduction of the influence of several risk
factors present at the workplace. To this end, it was important the analysis of existing procedures and observation of the
various tests, including processing times of tasks, information contained in safety data sheets of chemicals used, reagent /
culture medium used and information about the equipment involved in the different procedures, among others.
Ultimately, the methods of professionals risk assessment will always consist of mathematical models, more or less
validated, containing more or less factors (parameters or variables) according to the complexity that is acceptable to
achieve, always bearing in mind a relationship compromise between complexity and usability of the developed methods
(Nunes, 2010b).
The development of such models based on configurable methodologies, adjusted to more specialized work situations,
results in the availability of methods that, like the traditional matrix methods, maintain a good compromise between
complexity and usability, and enable a proper risk assessment, based only on the use of information available in the lab
that is applied such as, among others, the Safety Data Sheets (Pité-Madeira, 2007).
In order to prove its usability the model developed was applied to two different laboratory settings in the area of public
health: a microbiology laboratory (Graça, 2011) and a laboratory analysis of water (Batista, 2011).

2. METHODOLOGY
For the reasons previously discussed, the development of the method was given particular attention to the configuration
of the factors of formation of chemical and biological hazards, not forgetting that the risk exposure associated with them
depends on a set of factors related to the procedures used.
The chemical hazards associated with the use of hazardous substances (explosive, oxidizing, extremely flammable,
highly flammable, flammable, very toxic, toxic, harmful, corrosive, irritant, sensitizing, carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic
for reproduction and dangerous for the environment, are referenced by Decreto-Lei n.º 98/2010, of August 11st, which
stipulated the norms for classification, packaging and labeling of substances hazardous to human health and the
environment, discrimination at the level of indications of danger, the nature of special risks attributed and their advice on
safety of substances and mixtures.
For biological agents, among other features, it should be noted that biological hazards in the workplace have some
characteristics that distinguish them from other groups (Nunes, 2010a):
 The etiological agents are not occupational in nature (they are usually mentioned in the name of the disease and
are common to infectious and parasitic diseases not related to work);
 The occurrence of the disease depends on the conditions or circumstances on which work is performed and the
occupational exposure, which favors the contact, the infection or transmission.
Anyway, biological agents (bacteria and related, viruses, parasites and fungi) are classified according to the effects they
produce on the healthy workers in four groups, in order of its danger, and the agents of group 2, 3 and 4 are necessarily

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listed. The list of biological agents known to infect humans is contained in Portaria n.º 405/98 of July 11st, amended by
Portaria n.º 1036/98 of December 15th, as provided for in Decreto-Lei n.º 84/97 of April 16th, which establishes
minimum requirements for the safety and health of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work.
To ensure inclusion of all factors affecting risk achievement, it was carried out an identification of risk factors associated
with each task of each of the procedures / techniques that have been observed and analyzed, taking into account the
following aspects:
 Tasks / operations involved in the procedure / technique;
 Measurement of time performing each task (associated with contact times / operator exposure to risk factors);
 The hazardous nature, characteristics and explosion via of the products used;
 Risk of equipment and material used;
 Collective / personal protective equipment use (CPE / PPE);
 Safety practices observed;
 Number of people who perform the procedure / technique;
 Number of times the procedure / technique is carried out each year.
After the identification of risk factors present in each task / operation observed, are established indicators which account
for the probability and severity, to take into account when assessing the associated risk.
The probability of accounting is performed through three indexes associated with it:
 Time of contact / exposure (T);
 Number of tests per year (E);
 Percentage of security measures are actually used to control the risk (safety practices observed versus CPE and
PPE recommended in the Material Safety Data Sheets - MSDS) (C).
The values for the three associated indices are set to the probability with the criteria presented in Table 1:

Table 1 – Indices associated with the probability.

Value T (mm:ss) E C
4 ≥ 10:00 E ≥ 2000 0 - 33%
3 05:30 ≤T <09:59 1500 ≤ E < 2000 34% - 65%
2 01:00 ≤ T < 05:30 700 ≤ E < 1500 66% - 99%
1 <1:00 < 700 100%

The contribution of the indices is taken into account by using weighting factors (A T, AE and AC), on a scale from 0
(overriding the influence of the index for the calculation, excluding it from the model) to 10 (maximum value of the
contribution index value for the calculation).
For its part, the accounting of Severity is also performed by using three indices:
 Level of dangerousness / toxicity of the substance (P);
 Number of exposure via (V);
 Number of risks associated with the equipment (R).
The three indices take values associated with the severity according to the criteria in Table 2.

Table 2 – Indices associated with the severity.

Value P V R
4 4 ≥4 ≥4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1

The levels of dangerousness of the substances used - P index, can be more reliably quantified and adjusted to the
available information, if they are classified in accordance with paragraph 3 of Annex IV of Decreto-Lei n.º 98/2010 . Its
quantification is well established with the information from the material safety data sheets and reflects the observation of
the tests, not to mention the exposures via (respiratory, ingestion, skin and eyes), as outlined in Table 3.
In some MSDS available information is indicated as threshold limit values (TLV), time-weighted average (TWA), short
duration (STEL) or maximum concentration (Ceiling) to chemicals in humans. Thus, it was necessary to establish a
relationship between the lethal dose (LD50) and/or lethal concentration (LC50), with the mentioned and the set of MSDS,
thus matching the rate of toxicity with the TLV, as presented in Table 3.

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 Table 3 - Criteria for establishing equivalence levels of dangerousness of the products used.
Level of
TLV
dangerousness LD50 LC50
(TWA/STEL/C)
(P)
Aerosols or particulates:
4 LD50 ≤ 50 mg/L (skin) LC50 ≤ 0,25 mg/liter/4h
TLV ≤ 3 mg/m3
(Very toxic) LD50 ≤ 25 mg/kg (body weight) Gases and vapors:
LC50 ≤ 0,5 mg/liter/4h
Aerosols or particulates (rats):
3 50 < LD50 ≤ 400 mg/kg or mg/L (skin)
0,25 < LC50 ≤ 1 mg/liter/4h 3 < TLV ≤ 9
(Toxic)
Gases and vapors (rats): mg/m3
25 < LD50 ≤ 200 mg/kg (body weight)
0,5 < LC50 ≤ 2 mg/liter/4h
400 < LD50 ≤ 2000 mg/kg or mg/L
Aerosols or particulates (rats):
(skin)
2 1 < LC50 ≤ 5 mg/liter/4h 9 < TLV ≤ 50
(Harmful) b) Gases and vapors (rats): mg/m3
200 < LD50 ≤ 2000 mg/kg (body
2 < LC50 ≤ 20 mg/liter/4h
weight)
Rats or rabbits: LD50 > 2000 mg/kg Aerosols or particulates (rats):
1
(body weight) or mg/L (skin) LC50 > 5 mg/liter/4h TLV > 50
(not classified)
Rats: LD50 > 2000 mg/kg (body b) Gases and vapors (rats): mg/m3
weight) LC50 > 20 mg/liter/4h

Severity is also a function that takes into account the weighting factors (A P, AV e AR) that define the contribution of the
indexes associated with it.
In possession of the six indexes defined for the model, the Level of Risk (RL) per task / operation can then be computed
as shown below, so values can be obtained in a percentage scale. For this purpose are used in the denominator values
corresponding to the maximum possible values for each of the six indices (NT, NE, NC, NP, NV e NR).

AT log( T ) + AE log( E ) + AC log( C ) + AP log( P ) + AV log( V ) + AR log( R )

RL = x 99 + 1
AT log( N T ) + AE log( N E ) + AC log( N C ) + AP log( N P ) + AV log( NV ) + AR log( N R )

After calculating the risk level for each task / operation can be attributed to a classification of risk associated with four
different colors according to the criteria in Table 4.

Table 4 – Criteria for classification of risk.

Classification of risk Associated color
High (RL > 85%)
Substantial (56% < RL ≤ 85% )
Moderate (30% < RL ≤ 56% )
Low (RL ≤ 30%)

The method thus provides an array of six dimensions corresponding to the number of indices adopted for its formulation.
Figure 1 illustrates the development of four dimensions of the matrix (levels) of risk (T, C, P and R) for two fixed indices
(E = 1 and V = 1).

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Figure 1 - Development of four dimensions of the matrix (levels) of risk.

In order to have a more global information, was also calculated a Risk Level by test / technique by weighting equation
presented below, which also provides values in a percentage scale.

Δt1 RL1 + Δt 2 RL2 + ... + Δt n RLn

RL = x 99 + 1
Δt1 + Δt 2 + ... + Δt n

Where:
Δt1, Δt2 … Δtn – Duration of each of the n tasks involved in the procedure / test;
RL1, RL2 ... RLn – Nível de Risco de cada uma das n tarefas envolvidas no procedimento/ensaio.

Calculating the risk rating for task and based on its evaluation of the criteria in Table 4, have been constructed tables with
the results of the calculation of risk levels resulting from the adaptation of the model to each of the laboratories under
study in order to prioritize risks involved in a series of tests developed there.
The same results were also used to compile maps identifying, assessing and controlling risks.
The weights adopted for each of the constituent indices of the model were established according to the actual influence
that each has in the various types of test carried out in the laboratory study, allowing you to adjust the mathematical
model adopted to the specifics of each type of test .
It was observed that this specificity can be effectively achieved if the weights of the model take into account aspects such
as:
 Complexity of the procedure and experience of the operator(s);
 Exposures via for products used effectively open during the procedure;
 Conservation status and conditions of maintenance of equipment and other material used;
 Suitability of collective and personal protective equipment (e.g. type of gloves used and not just its use)
 Measures and safety practices observed and their effective relevance to safety and health of operators (operator
protection) rather than the quality of procedures (test conditions warrant);

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  Number of times the procedure / technique is carried out each year against the total volume of procedures
carried out in the laboratory.
The consideration of issues such as listed above, enables the configuration of risk assessment models well suited to each
of the study in laboratory settings, consider allowing the most efficient way the available information and contributing to
an effective "integration of risk assessment safety and health of workers in all activities of the organization "(Lei n.º
102/2009 - Legal status of OSH promotion and prevention).
Figure 2 shows an example of calculations for the level of risk by task and test, to the test for the "determination of boron
by the method of molecular absorption spectrophotometry".

Figure 2 - Example of calculation of Risk Level by task and testing.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Due to the nature of the tests to be analyzed at the Laboratory of Chemistry and Toxicology of Water, in the calculation
of risk levels, it was decided that the value of the weighting factor times the index of contact / exposure (T) and index of
toxicity (P) would be those who would have the highest values of weighting, AT = AP = 10. This specification is due to
the high contact time / exposure and the characteristics of toxicity of chemicals used.
Were also considered high weighting factors for the rate of transmission routes (V) and the percentage of CPE and PPE
used (C) during the test, AV = AC = 9, because in most trials, all transmission routes are open and was found that there
was a proper use of PPE recommended in the MSDS.
The weighting of the index for the moderate amount of risk associated with the equipment (C), AC = 5, results from the
fact that while the operator is exposed to risks associated with equipment during the tests, these are controlled by
scheduled maintenance checks required by both, the institution and the guarantee of the results provided to the customer.
Finally it was considered for the index of the number of tests per year (E), a reduced weighting, A E = 1, because its
influence does not show significant on the level of risk, although for different trials the number of tests performed by
year can vary from a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 3,000.
The method of evaluation tests selected for this study resulted in valuations which risk levels stood at risk "substantial" or
"high" due to the influence of high values assigned to the indices of toxicity factors, exposures via, exposure times and
safety practices observed versus CPE and PPE recommended.
It was found that the test "Determination of trihalomethanes" considered the most dangerous by the laboratory, achieved
a risk level of 85.3%, thus consistent with the existing perception of risk. Although the valuation is already located at
"high" (red), the resulting percentage to the level of risk has not been even higher due to the effective use of hood and
masks, and the index of toxicity of chemicals also used not be the highest. However, it was duly penalized for the use of
nitrile gloves, instead of the recommended butyl rubber.
Since the test of "Determining the oxidizability," obtained the highest level of risk of all tests studied, 96.7%,
contributing to this assessment, having been conducted without the recommended PPE, the high toxicity and the number
of exposures via. The tests that showed the second highest, are the "Determination of chemical oxygen demand for the
determination of silica”, 91.5% and 91.1%, respectively. These values also resulted from the high number of exposures
via and that have not been used PPE recommended by the MSDS.
The test for "Determining the turbidity" got the lowest score of all the trials analyzed, 58.3%. Although already at a
valuation of "substantial", this result was obtained due to the low toxicity index value of the products used, although it
has been penalized for not having been used PPE recommended by MSDS.

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In the configuration of the model of risk assessment in the context of the Food Microbiology Laboratory was found that
the rate of time of contact / exposure (T) and the index of risks associated with the equipment (R) should have the highest
weighting (AT = AR = 10) due to the high contact time / operator exposure to biological agents and reagents / media and
the relatively high risk associated with equipment. It was also considered for the rate of exposures via (V) the weighting
value AV = 7, because in most trials all transmission routes are open. The weighting of the index number of measures of
actual use to control the risk (C) value AC = 2 resulted from the fact that the operator in most cases meets the best
practice of microbiological analysis, as specified in ISO 7218 "Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - General
requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations ", and many of these safety rules of analysis also can be
considered as safety rules for the operator.
It was considered the index of substance(s) toxicity (P) with the weighting AP = 1, since the reagents and culture media
used are level 1 – “not classified” (Table 3 ), i.e., toxicity values are very low or almost meaningless. Also for the index
number of tests per year (E) was considered a weight AE = 8, since the number of annual testing still has a substantial
value (1800).
By applying the method of risk assessment procedures developed to study, it was concluded that all procedures meet
valuations of risk "substantial" (orange). However, the procedure "Clostridium perfringens count at 37 ° C" by ISO
7937:2004, has the highest risk level (78.8%) and the procedure "Salmonella detection VIDAS SLM method" with
confirmation of positive results according to EN ISO 6579, has a substantially lower risk level (58.9%).
It was also possible to verify that the procedures related to the "Survey of Salmonella" and "Listeria monocytogenes", in
which the organism is more pathogenic for humans but both methods performed by automated equipment through the
Mini Vidas, have the lowest risk levels (58.9% and 63.0%, respectively) compared to other procedures studied, since
those are more controlled and automated methods in which the operator is less exposed to biological agents.

4. CONCLUSIONS
It was possible to set up and demonstrate a method of risk assessment for laboratory analysis using information that is
available to all those who work with the testing of analysis, such as the processing times of tasks / operations and the
information contained in the safety data sheets, reagent / culture medium used, information about the equipment used and
the associated risks, as well as for collective and personal protective equipment actually used. The flexibility of this
method makes it possible to calculate the risk levels taking into account all the variables relevant for each test.
There was also to take into account that the practical component of the work was essential, because without it would have
been impossible to analyze and observe the various tests studied and obtain the necessary information for setting up the
method of risk assessment developed.
This model of risk assessment, despite having been developed and applied in public health area could be extrapolated to
any place where work is to develop laboratory activities.

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge permission for development the work in the two
laboratories studied.

6. REFERENCES
Batista, Sónia Varela (2011). Avaliação de Riscos Químicos num Laboratório de Análise de Águas. Trabalho final de curso. Lisboa:
ISEC.
Graça, Helena Isabel Lopes (2011). Avaliação de Riscos Biológicos num Laboratório de Microbiologia Alimentar. Trabalho final de
curso. Lisboa: ISEC.
Nunes, Fernando M. D. Oliveira (2010a). Segurança e Higiene do Trabalho: Manual Técnico (3.ª ed.). Amadora: Edições
Gustave-Eiffel.
Nunes, Fernando M. D. Oliveira (2010b). Sobre a Utilização de Termos e Conceitos em Avaliação de Riscos Profissionais. Parte 1:
Revista Segurança, 198, Setembro/Outubro de 2010. Parte 2: Revista Segurança, 199, Novembro/Dezembro de 2010.
Pité-Madeira, Cândida M. (2007). Matriz de Quantificação do Risco Químico Profissional em Laboratório. Soares. C. Guedes,
Teixeira, A. P. e Antão, P. (Eds.), Riscos Públicos e Industriais, Vol. 2, pp. 935-950. Lisboa: Ed. Salamandra.

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