Noise exposure in rubber manufacturing poses significant risks to worker health, safety, and productivity. This study explores these challenges via an integrated approach that combines task-based and group noise measurements as required by Directive 2003/10/EC, noise mapping, real-time monitoring, and worker feedback. Noise levels were found to range from 81 to 89 dB(A) across worker groups, with task-specific peaks exceeding 91 dB(A) near high-noise machinery. To mitigate these risks, engineering controls, including acoustic barriers and machine isolation, were proposed alongside administrative measures such as task rotation and improved access to personal protective equipment. The analysis demonstrated a link between noise levels and reduced productivity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Integrating IoT sensors and AI for real-time noise monitoring offers opportunities to increase compliance, reduce exposure, and improve safety outcomes. Whilst engineering controls involve higher initial investments, cost-benefit analysis highlights their long-term advantages in reducing health-related expenses and improving productivity. This study reinforces the importance of a proactive, worker-centered approach to noise management in rubber manufacturing, emphasizing sustainability, risk mitigation, and the adoption of innovative technologies to create safer and more efficient workplaces.

This study evaluated the individual and psychosocial impacts of personal protective equipment on firefighters by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. While PPE is necessary for the protection of firefighters, it can also lead to a number of challenges, which may be both physical and psychological. This assessment incorporates insights from several studies that discuss the factors of stress related to the use of PPE by firefighters. The key aspects of the assessment include the adverse effects of overheating, the restriction of free movements, the inability to speak normally, and various other factors that increase stress. Studies have revealed that the use of PPE increases physical and mental stress levels by 10–25%, which increases overall anxiety by 35% and stress levels by 20–30%. The results suggest that the use of PPE is correlated with heightened levels of both physical and mental stress, leading to a 35% increase in anxiety and a 20–30% increase in stress. This study highlights the need to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to address and reduce the effects of PPE use on stress. Policy directions are aimed at improving PPE design, applying stress prevention programs, and controlling organizational strategies to protect firefighters’ safety and well-being.

This study aimed to develop a state-of-the-art method for assessing chemical risks in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The method combined desk research findings and the authors’ practical knowledge to identify major shortcomings in performing risk assessments at the workplace. Data were collected from nine SMEs across three sectors: agriculture, laboratory research, and conservation and restoration laboratories. On-site observations, focus group discussions, and textual content analysis of occupational safety and health documentation were used to gather information on chemical risks and workers’ perceptions. The developed method uses numerical factors to account for the level of conformity with regulations and the duration of exposure to support an estimation of the probability of an incident. The method was designed to enhance risk assessment practices and tackle common issues encountered by SMEs, including the lack of data for estimating probability. Feedback from SMEs involved in the study indicated that the method’s performance was satisfactory, with its well-organized information flow and supportive components being particularly valued. The study highlights the importance of effective risk assessment in creating a safer and healthier work environment for workers.

Our understanding of the environmental and occupational health implications of pollutants emitted in steel production is still lacking, despite the considerable amount of research devoted to this topic. Given the significance of steel recycling and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many steel factories are adopting electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. The use of a technological system designed for the capture of pollutants emitted through EAF steel production is highly ecological because of its utilization of iron scrap and low investment cost. Despite this, the main issue with the EAF is the environmental impact it poses, specifically the release of pollutants into the air, such as dust and organic substances, chlorinated dioxins and furans, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated dioxins and furans. As a result, workers in this field have a considerable rate of morbidity. The main challenge for EAFs is to optimize the capture of powders produced during the techno-logical process, both from the EAF and the workplace. A state-of-the art solution for managing pollutants in modern steel manufacturing is highlighted in this paper, featuring a method used in Romania that employs the Best Available Techniques (BAT) reference document for iron and steel production to directly collect pollutants from the EAF. The system included a cylindrical fitting, a heat exchanger to cool the gases and a hood to collect contaminants. In comparison to other ventilation options, this equipment boasts lower investment and lower operational costs because of its effective and minimal air flow. Through the use of cutting-edge technology and progressive strategies, we can move closer toward our objective of a workplace free from injuries in the steel industry.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure presents occupational health risks across multiple industries, particularly in tasks involving heavy machinery and prolonged seating. This study examines WBV risk factors, intervention strategies, and the potential for digital monitoring solutions to strengthen workplace safety. A sector-wide analysis assessed vibration exposure levels, worker-reported discomfort, and the effectiveness of the existing control measures. The study introduces a conceptual framework for a mobile application designed to integrate real-time exposure tracking, structured worker feedback, and predictive risk assessment. The findings confirm that WBV exposure varies across industries, with the energy and maritime logistics sectors showing the highest levels of noncompliance. A tiered intervention strategy, classified by impact and effort, provides a structured method for prioritizing risk reduction measures. Immediate actions, such as real-time monitoring and preventive maintenance, require minimal effort but provide high-impact benefits, while long-term strategies, including ergonomic workstation redesign, demand greater investment but contribute to sustained exposure reduction. The proposed framework offers a scalable, data-driven approach to WBV risk management, transitioning workplace safety from compliance-based monitoring to proactive prevention. Future research should explore implementation feasibility, worker adoption, and the integration of AI-driven safety recommendations to support continuous improvements in workplace safety strategies.

Contamination of agricultural soils with heavy metals, such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb), is a major problem for food safety and environmental sustainability. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of phytoremediation induced with Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in reducing the content of heavy metals in contaminated soils. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using soil polluted with Zn, Cu and Pb, to which different treatments were applied, using: the biological method (Indian mustard only), the chemical method (EDTA in three concentrations: 0.5–1.0–2.0 mmol·kg⁻¹) and the mixed method (Indian mustard and EDTA in three concentrations: 0.5–1.0–2.0 mmol·kg⁻¹). The determinations included the analysis of the residual metal content by atomic absorption spectroscopy, as well as the evaluation of the physiological parameters of the plants (biomass, chlorophyll content in leaves, humidity, height). The results of unifactorial and bifactorial ANOVA revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.001) between the treatments and the types of metals, confirming the synergistic interaction between the chelation and phytoextraction processes. The combined treatments Indian mustard and EDTA in concentrations of 1.0 mmol·kg⁻¹ and 2.0 mmol·kg⁻¹, ensured the highest decontamination efficiency, with reductions of 51.5% for Zn, 36.3% for Pb and 27.5% for Cu. In conclusion, the mixed method represents a viable, ecological and reproducible strategy for the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals.