This article presents research on qualitative parameters conducted in order to develop a model for the improvement of occupational health and safety (OHS) in micro and small construction enterprises (MSEs). Identification of factors and defining their significance enables improvements of OHS in the observed enterprises. The aim of the model is to assist MSEs in evaluating their qualities, pinpointing their deficiencies and ways to maximize the improvement of OHS performances. A panel of 20 experts defined the factors through an iterative process using the Delphi method. The research resulted in a model consisting of 42 OHS factors grouped into 10 categories. Model validation was carried out in the Republic of Serbia. The validation confirmed the applicability of the model as well as the relevance of factors that were determined by the panel of experts.

Zagađenje vazduha je svakodnevni problem na gradilištima, a najveći problem je prašina, koja se javlja tokom bušenja, kopanja, rušenja, površinske obrade betona, sečenja drveta, testerisanja raznih greda, sečenja pločica i sličnih operacija. Zajedničko za sve pomenute radne operacije je supstanca – silicijum dioksid, koja se nalazi u hemijskom sastavu materijala koji se obrađuje, i to je trenutak kada se formira silikatna prašina. Silikatna prašina je hemijska opasnost koja, kao takva, ima sistemske efekte po zdravlje. Sistemski efekat po zdravlje je efekat po zdravlje koji se javlja na mestu udaljenom od početne tačke kontakta sa telom i takođe utiče na bubrege, jetru ili druge organe. Supstance sa sistemskim efektima često se akumuliraju u ciljnim organima, gde ispoljavaju štetne efekte. Silikoza je bolest pluća uzrokovana udisanjem prašine koja sadrži čestice silicijum dioksida. Čestice silicijuma su definisane kao „respirabilne“ i obično su manje od 5 mm u prečniku. Ovaj oblik silicijuma se naziva „respirabilni kristalni silicijum“ (RCS). Često se zanemaruje na radnom mestu jer je bezbojan, bez mirisa, ne iritira i ne izaziva neposredne efekte po zdravlje. Silikoza je fibrozna bolest pluća koja se razvija kada čestice silicijumske prašine ostanu u plućima, izazivajući ožiljke tkiva. U zavisnosti od koncentracije silicijumske prašine u vazduhu, silikoza može biti hronična (najčešći oblik), akutna ili akumulirana. Velike količine prašine koje se talože u plućima radnika slabe njihov imunitet i time postaju podložniji različitim simptomima (kratkoća daha tokom fizičkog napora, bol u grudima, jak kašalj, umor), ali i bolestima kao što su tuberkuloza, određene kardiovaskularne bolesti, sarkoidoza, plućna tuberkuloza, infekcije pluća, hronična opstruktivna bolest, određene vrste tumora, rak pluća, autoimune bolesti i poremećaji bubrega, koje mogu biti pogoršane HIV-om ili pušenjem. Često, gore pomenuti efekti i bolesti nisu vidljivi dok se ne dostigne kritično opterećenje organizma. Najveći rizik je silikoza, bolest za koju ne postoji lek i za koju je prevencija neophodna. Na osnovu navedenog, napominje se da tokom obuke zaposlenih o bezbednom i zdravom radu u građevinskom sektoru, značajnu pažnju treba posvetiti podizanju svesti radnika o zdravstvenim efektima silikatne prašine. Cilj ovog istraživanja je podizanje svesti zaposlenih u građevinskom sektoru o zdravstvenim efektima izloženosti respirabilnoj silikatnoj prašini i isticanje važnosti edukacije radnika kao ključne preventivne mere. Povećanjem svesti o zdravstvenim posledicama i pružanjem realnih primera progresije bolesti, menja se mentalni model rizika i percepcija radnika o njihovom ponašanju, čime se smanjuje izloženost. Iz tog razloga je neophodno da, pored obuke zaposlenih, poslodavac obezbedi adekvatnu podršku, neophodnu ličnu zaštitnu opremu i pojačan nadzor. Edukacijom zaposlenih o zdravstvenim efektima silikatne prašine, preventivne mere se transformišu od obaveznih zadataka u svesne lične odluke.

This study analyzes noise exposure among construction workers using hydraulic excavators at construction sites in Novi Sad and Subotica, based on 16 Sound Level Meter (SLM) measurements and one full-shift personal dosimetry measurement. The use of this methodology enabled the identification of the most common excavator activities and their manufacturers that produce noise in actual working conditions. The findings indicate significant differences in noise levels produced by excavators, depending on the manufacturer and the activities they perform. The results demonstrate the significance of combining the Sound Level Meter (SLM) with personal dosimetry, as personal dosimetry provides more reliable information about 8-hour work-shift exposure than a stationary SLM. In addition, results also showed an urgent need to reshape occupational safety management in construction. The principal scientific contribution is a novel Noise Risk Management Framework that translates measured acoustic parameters directly into operational management decisions for construction site managers.

Water pollution represents one of the key global environmental challenges. The BioCompWaterClean project focuses on the use of plant-derived biowaste in the design and development of novel materials for wastewater treatment, in accordance with the principles of green chemistry and technology and the circular economy. Within the project, biofunctionalized composite materials based on magnetic geopolymers were developed and applied as adsorbents and catalysts for the removal of phenolic compounds and metal ions from water. Biofunctionalization takes place in situ during composite synthesis in the presence of plant extracts. For this purpose, extracts obtained from apple, lemon, and mandarin peels, as well as onion skins, were prepared using subcritical water extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and maceration with natural deep eutectic solvents. The bioactive components of the extracts, primarily polyphenols, contribute to surface modification of the materials and enhancement of their functionality, thereby providing favorable conditions for the covalent immobilization of peroxidase and the production of stable biocatalysts. The resulting biocatalysts demonstrated high enzymatic activity, stability, and reusability. Their application enabled the removal of phenols and chlorinated derivatives with efficiencies exceeding 90%, including from real wastewater samples. The biofunctionalized magnetic geopolymers also demonstrated potential for use in Fenton processes, as well as for the removal of manganese ions (85-96%). Biological testing using the Allium cepa assay demonstrated a significant reduction in the toxicity of the treated water samples (34%), confirming the potential of the developed materials for application in sustainable wastewater treatment processes.

This paper analyses the financial and economic risks in the risk assessment model made for wastewater treatment plants. This group of risks was identified during the doctoral research conducted with the Delphi method. In the risk assessment model, six groups of risks are identified and evaluated within a team of the Delphi method: legal, financial and economic, logistics, environmental protection, management, and design risks. The financial and economic risk group has five identified risks. These risks are specified after the literature review and previous project experiences. The importance of identification of these risks is making the adequate risk response.

Laboratory-based research plays a crucial role in civil engineering education by connecting theory with practice. Within the Education 5.0 framework, laboratory work supports human-centered, digital, and sustainable learning. This paper presents the conceptual development of a questionnaire for undergraduate civil engineering students. The questionnaire explores students’ perceptions of laboratory research and its educational significance. Its design is grounded in learning theory, educational psychology, and engineering education literature. Data collection was planned as anonymous using a QR-code-based survey approach. The proposed questionnaire represents a flexible tool for future research and conference discussion.