Health and Safety at Work Method and Results

Question: Discuss about theHealth and Safety at Work for Method and Results. Answer: Article to be critically analyzed: Zhuang, Z., Coffey, C.C., Jensen, P.A., Campbell, D.L., Lawrence, R.B. and Myers, W.R., 2003. Correlation between quantitative fit factors and workplace protection factors measured in actual workplace environments at a steel foundry. AIHA Journal, 64(6), pp.730-738. Title The title succinctly portrays the pivotal theme off the research (Zhuang et al. 2003). Abstract The abstract has comprehensively and in a precise manner summarized the key structure of the research encompassing the objective, method, results and conclusion. Background of the Study The main article does not contain any separate heading of introduction or background. However at the beginning of the article several findings pertaining to past research works have been provided to give an insight and overview on the topic of research. Information acquired from sources like that of published journal articles have been used to find out extensive evidences from previous findings and furthermore the gaps identified in those researches paved the way for the scopes and potentials pertinent to the study undertaken. The central idea for the research has been reported of generating out of the idea that quantitative fit factors (FFs) are reliable indicators of performance of the respirators in the context of a definite workplace. Various fit testing methods were examined by means of appropriate procedures to examine the efficacy of the protocols through comparative analysis (Coffey et al. 2002). The protection conferred by these respirators in the definite workplace setting has also been verified and cross-checked through several experiments. The extent of alignment to the guidelines as lay down by authorities like NIOSH and other have also been dealt with in these works to assess the level of respiratory protection contributed (Johnston et al. 1992). Moreover, research also have highlighted on simulated workplace protection factor (WPFs) for various class of respirators and the relative effectiveness of their use (Cohen et al. 2001). However, no concrete proof of research having focused on assessing the correlation between WPF and FF has been reported. Therefore the present study aimed to explore the impacts of good and poor fitting half face piece, air purifying respirators on protection in actual workplace setting in the context of a steel foundry apart from identifying the correlation between WPF and quantitative FF. Alongside these objectives, the factors influencing the correlation of two variables has also been recognized and discussed explicitl y. Thus the background for the study has been adequately addressed. Overview of Research Design The protocol set for the present study in keeping with the materials and methods are found to be amenable to the research methodology referred to in previous studies that satisfactorily catered to the research problems. The detailed description of the facility selection, worker selection, instruction and monitoring along with other detailed approaches such as that of measurements carried out with respect to the workers facial dimensions, respirator selection, further inspection and ultimate utilization of the tool have all been mentioned with enough clarity and fair explanations. Additionally the fit test procedures used to conduct the research has also been highlighted thereby making it easier for comprehension and reproducing the methods for future research purpose. Therefore the methodology adopted in undertaking the research study has been found to be valid, ethical, reliable and satisfactory. Rationale for the incorporation of definite study protocol has also been mentioned as w ell that rendered transparency and reliability to the work that was pursued (Kothari 2004). Sampling The sample size of the projected study was found to incorporate 15 participants in the study who were accustomed to doing diverse activities such as that of burning, welding and chipping. A total of six fit tests have been reportedly performed on the participants with two respirator models each with three sizes. The frequency of usage of the respirator by the subjects were also streamlined and regulated. The WPF sampling consisting of the ambient sampling, in-facepiece sampling and usage of personal sampling pumps, working blank and manufacturers blank have been sufficiently followed and stringently regulated throughout the entire duration of the study. The study protocol and the sampling procedure were compliant with the existing guidelines for procuring optimal outcomes out of the study. Thus the sampling is found to be convenient to carry out the study in a satisfactory fashion (Mugo 2002). Data Collection All the data that has been procured in the study has no clear-cut information regarding whether they have been collected in a manner that conforms to the ethical and legal frameworks as promulgated by appropriate authorities. Nothing has been mentioned regarding the ethical and legal considerations. Therefore it is not very much clear whether this study has adequately abided by the guidelines as proposed by the governing authorities and has the right to approve and formally direct the study (O'Leary 2013). Data Analysis The collected data from the study were analyzed and appraised by means of following the most suitable and rigorous statistical tools. Correlation analysis with WPF as the dependent variable and FF as the independent variable was done to infer about the strength of relationship between the two variables. Regression analyses were done by virtue of utilizing the log transformed table. The statistical Analyses System Software (SAS) was applied throughout for undertaking the robust and rigorous statistical calculations. Further novel techniques concerning the use of microcomputer spreadsheet technique was used for conducting the study for getting the picture about the relative distribution for fitting in a smooth curve (Kraemer and Blasey 2015). Evidence Utilization The results in connection to the research undertaken have been presented in a very elaborate and comprehensive way throughout the article. Findings have also been reported in the form of tables and statistical data and illustrations through regression and scatter plot to allow the readers to get a glimpse of the findings in a pictorial manner. The important finding of the study suggests that at instances of donning similar respirator, significant correlation exists between WPFs and FFs. Further the efficacy of performing the fit tests for the sake of identifying the workers who have poor respiratory fit is a vital revelation. Support for laboratory tests as surrogate tests for workplace tests in identifying the respiratory fits for the vulnerable individuals. The limitations of the study have also been suggested thereby adding to the reliability and authenticity of the research conducted. Therefore careful analysis and evaluation of the outcomes mentioned in course of the study rende r enough scope for future implications and investigations in the research of occupational health and safety. References Coffey, C.C., Lawrence, R.B., Zhuang, Z., Campbell, D.L., Jensen, P.A. and Myers, W.R., 2002. Comparison of five methods for fit-testing N95 filtering-facepiece respirators. Applied occupational and environmental hygiene, 17(10), pp.723-730. Cohen, H.J., Hecker, L.H., Mattheis, D.K., Johnson, J.S., Biermann, A.H. and Foote, K.L., 2001. Simulated workplace protection factor study of powered air-purifying and supplied air respirators. AIHAJ-American Industrial Hygiene Association, 62(5), pp.595-604. Johnston, A.R., Myers, W.R., Colton, C.E., Birkner, J.S. and Campbell, C.E., 1992. Review of respirator performance testing in the workplace: issues and concerns. The American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 53(11), pp.705-712. Kothari, C.R., 2004. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International. Kraemer, H.C. and Blasey, C., 2015. How many subjects?: Statistical power analysis in research. Sage Publications. Mugo, F.W., 2002. Sampling in research. O'Leary, Z., 2013. The essential guide to doing your research project. Sage. Zhuang, Z., Coffey, C.C., Jensen, P.A., Campbell, D.L., Lawrence, R.B. and Myers, W.R., 2003. Correlation between quantitative fit factors and workplace protection factors measured in actual workplace environments at a steel foundry. AIHA Journal, 64(6), pp.730-738.