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Dr. Elena Stefana
University of Brescia, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

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0 Confined Space
0 Ergonomics
0 Process Safety
0 Risk Assessment
0 Occupational Safety

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Oxygen deficiency
Risk Assessment
Ergonomics
Occupational Safety

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Review
Published: 23 April 2021 in Social Indicators Research
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In the last two decades, Quality of Working Life (QWL) has become a core element of the European social model and the European Employment Strategy. “More and better jobs” is a strategic goal promoted within Europe for emphasising the attention in QWL. However, there is a large debate in the literature on the definition of QWL, its dimensions, and consequently on the methods to use for its measurement. To the best of our knowledge, the systematic reviews currently available in the literature on QWL measurement in European organisations investigate only a particular industry and/or working population. Moreover, they do not focus specifically on composite indicators, although they appear promising in facilitating QWL understanding and comparisons for supporting decision-makers and policy makers. To overcome these gaps, we conducted a systematic review to identify composite indicators for measuring QWL in European organisations. The review returned 19 studies that are analysed based on a set of factors related to QWL locutions, index name, geographical area, industry or population, level of analysis, dimensions, type of data, inputs, outputs, and test and/or validation. The results highlight a significant heterogeneity among the indicators, confirming the lack of an agreed upon QWL composite indicator for Europe. Such heterogeneity concerns also QWL dimensions. A critical comparison of the different composite indicators is provided, along with a unifying proposal of QWL macro-dimensions. Several gaps in the literature are pointed out suggesting directions for future research.

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Diana Rossi; Paola Cocca; Giuseppe Tomasoni. Composite Indicators to Measure Quality of Working Life in Europe: A Systematic Review. Social Indicators Research 2021, 1 -32.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Diana Rossi, Paola Cocca, Giuseppe Tomasoni. Composite Indicators to Measure Quality of Working Life in Europe: A Systematic Review. Social Indicators Research. 2021; ():1-32.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Diana Rossi; Paola Cocca; Giuseppe Tomasoni. 2021. "Composite Indicators to Measure Quality of Working Life in Europe: A Systematic Review." Social Indicators Research , no. : 1-32.

Journal article
Published: 08 March 2021 in Safety Science
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Safety managers, practitioners, and researchers can employ different models for estimating and assessing hazards, consequences, likelihoods, risks, and/or mitigation measures in the safety field. The selection of a specific model may depend on the uncertainty associated with its estimation and its impact on the safety-related decision-making process. The recognition of this issue as an example of Algorithm Selection Problem (ASP) allows investigating the applicability of meta-learning principles that are scarcely adopted in the risk and safety literature. Consequently, we propose a novel meta-learning inspired framework to proactively rank a set of candidate models for Dynamic Risk Management (DRM) based on desired uncertainty conditions. We denominate this framework ProMetaUS (Proactive Meta-learning and Uncertainty-based Selection for dynamic risk management). To achieve this purpose, our meta-learning system acquires knowledge that relates the characteristics extracted both directly and indirectly from datasets (e.g. data-based, domain-based, simple and fast uncertainty-based, simple and fast sensitivity-based meta-features) to some performance measures of the models. Performance measures include confidence information, shape measurable quantities, safety decision criteria and threshold limits, and sensitivity analysis outputs. We tested the proposed framework in a case study about Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) assessment by means of @RISK. For each of the five datasets, single-performance measure rankings and a final ranking of the three models are generated. Such rankings are aggregated to obtain the global recommended ranking.

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Nicola Paltrinieri. ProMetaUS: A proactive meta-learning uncertainty-based framework to select models for Dynamic Risk Management. Safety Science 2021, 138, 105238 .

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Nicola Paltrinieri. ProMetaUS: A proactive meta-learning uncertainty-based framework to select models for Dynamic Risk Management. Safety Science. 2021; 138 ():105238.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Nicola Paltrinieri. 2021. "ProMetaUS: A proactive meta-learning uncertainty-based framework to select models for Dynamic Risk Management." Safety Science 138, no. : 105238.

Review
Published: 24 January 2021 in Sensors
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Wearable devices are pervasive solutions for increasing work efficiency, improving workers’ well-being, and creating interactions between users and the environment anytime and anywhere. Although several studies on their use in various fields have been performed, there are no systematic reviews on their utilisation in ergonomics. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to identify wearable devices proposed in the scientific literature for ergonomic purposes and analyse how they can support the improvement of ergonomic conditions. Twenty-eight papers were retrieved and analysed thanks to eleven comparison dimensions related to ergonomic factors, purposes, and criteria, populations, application and validation. The majority of the available devices are sensor systems composed of different types and numbers of sensors located in diverse body parts. These solutions also represent the technology most frequently employed for monitoring and reducing the risk of awkward postures. In addition, smartwatches, body-mounted smartphones, insole pressure systems, and vibrotactile feedback interfaces have been developed for evaluating and/or controlling physical loads or postures. The main results and the defined framework of analysis provide an overview of the state of the art of smart wearables in ergonomics, support the selection of the most suitable ones in industrial and non-industrial settings, and suggest future research directions.

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Diana Rossi; Paola Cocca; Giuseppe Tomasoni. Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review. Sensors 2021, 21, 777 .

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Diana Rossi, Paola Cocca, Giuseppe Tomasoni. Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review. Sensors. 2021; 21 (3):777.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Diana Rossi; Paola Cocca; Giuseppe Tomasoni. 2021. "Wearable Devices for Ergonomics: A Systematic Literature Review." Sensors 21, no. 3: 777.

Journal article
Published: 17 November 2020 in Process Safety and Environmental Protection
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Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) poses a serious occupational risk, and represents a frequent cause of incidents, accidents, and fatalities, mostly in confined spaces and laboratories. Besides these working environments, there is a large spectrum of industries that need to manage the asphyxiation risk caused by extensive inert gas uses. In such a context, mathematical models represent a valuable tool for characterising exposure profiles under varying conditions and evaluating several exposure scenarios, prospectively or retrospectively, for new processes and/or non-routine events. To this end, the objectives of this paper are to: (1) define a traditional Near Field-Far Field (NF-FF) model to estimate the indoor oxygen (O2) concentration percent by volume and partial pressure, and (2) develop a spreadsheet workbook, called ODHMOD, for supporting occupational hygienists, safety and health practitioners, and risk assessors during ODH assessments. Both the NF-FF model and ODHMOD employ data and information usually available in companies, and predict the O2 levels time trends in working environments where inert gas releases can occur, and forced and natural ventilation can move airflows inside and/or outside. The mathematical model and its implementation in Microsoft® Excel are described, with an example of its application in a possible industrial scenario.

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Daniel Drolet; Thomas W. Armstrong. A traditional Near Field-Far Field approach-based model and a spreadsheet workbook to manage Oxygen Deficiency Hazard. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2020, 149, 537 -556.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Daniel Drolet, Thomas W. Armstrong. A traditional Near Field-Far Field approach-based model and a spreadsheet workbook to manage Oxygen Deficiency Hazard. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2020; 149 ():537-556.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Daniel Drolet; Thomas W. Armstrong. 2020. "A traditional Near Field-Far Field approach-based model and a spreadsheet workbook to manage Oxygen Deficiency Hazard." Process Safety and Environmental Protection 149, no. : 537-556.

Review
Published: 17 December 2019 in Sustainability
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Environmental impact and use of energy and materials are relevant topics in companies. To achieve energy savings and enhance environmental performance, managers can invest in technologies (technical measures) and/or implement management practices (low-cost and non-technical measures). This paper focuses on energy and environmental management practices in foundry, which is a particularly energy-intensive industry producing significant carbon dioxide emissions. We conducted a scoping review of scientific publications and technical documents to identify practices that enable energy efficiency improvement and adverse environmental impact reduction in cast iron foundries using coreless induction furnaces. The review returned 399 practices, which we categorised according to the process step of application and theme. We developed a hierarchy to classify the practices according to their sustainability. The results show that the practices proposed in the literature focus mainly on avoiding or reducing resource consumption, rather than on recovering residual value. The intended contribution is to promote the adoption of management practices as an effective lever to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, while also providing a summary of current knowledge to facilitate the identification of areas for further research. The review could also support foundry managers in the selection and prioritisation of the practices to adopt.

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Paola Cocca; Filippo Marciano; Diana Rossi; Giuseppe Tomasoni. A Review of Energy and Environmental Management Practices in Cast Iron Foundries to Increase Sustainability. Sustainability 2019, 11, 7245 .

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Paola Cocca, Filippo Marciano, Diana Rossi, Giuseppe Tomasoni. A Review of Energy and Environmental Management Practices in Cast Iron Foundries to Increase Sustainability. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (24):7245.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Paola Cocca; Filippo Marciano; Diana Rossi; Giuseppe Tomasoni. 2019. "A Review of Energy and Environmental Management Practices in Cast Iron Foundries to Increase Sustainability." Sustainability 11, no. 24: 7245.

Articles
Published: 13 November 2019 in International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
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Purpose. In the steel industry, performing activities in confined spaces where potential oxygen (O2) displacement can occur may expose workers to fatal consequences. To the best of our knowledge, no quantitative exposure assessment of O2 deficiency in steel confined spaces is available in the literature. To overcome this gap, we perform Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) assessments in real confined spaces using two existing models to identify the most critical parameters responsible for ODH, and suggest controls for mitigating the asphyxiation risk. Methods. We applied a well-mixed model and a Near Field-Far Field approach to estimate the indoor O2 level in time during and following releases of simple asphyxiants. Models' inputs were mainly gathered thanks to audits and instrumental tests in three firms. Results. The most severe ODH exposures are posed in spaces with a restricted volume and where accidental releases of inert gases can occur. Such exposures can be controlled through early release detections and augmented reality systems. Conclusions. ODH assessments in confined spaces of steel firms allow the identification of the most critical parameters from an O2 depletion perspective, focusing on which data need careful measurement, and help to establish controls compatible with the operations conducted into these areas.

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca; Diana Rossi; Giuseppe Tomasoni. Oxygen deficiency hazard in confined spaces in the steel industry: assessment through predictive models. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics 2019, 1 -15.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Paola Cocca, Diana Rossi, Giuseppe Tomasoni. Oxygen deficiency hazard in confined spaces in the steel industry: assessment through predictive models. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 2019; ():1-15.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca; Diana Rossi; Giuseppe Tomasoni. 2019. "Oxygen deficiency hazard in confined spaces in the steel industry: assessment through predictive models." International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics , no. : 1-15.

Conference paper
Published: 01 January 2019 in Proceedings of the 29th European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL)
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ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca. Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses of Models for Assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard: Preliminary Results. Proceedings of the 29th European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL) 2019, 1 .

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Paola Cocca. Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses of Models for Assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard: Preliminary Results. Proceedings of the 29th European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL). 2019; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca. 2019. "Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analyses of Models for Assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard: Preliminary Results." Proceedings of the 29th European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL) , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 14 November 2016 in Process Safety and Environmental Protection
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ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca; Marco Alberti. A Near Field–Far Field model for assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2016, 105, 201 -216.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Paola Cocca, Marco Alberti. A Near Field–Far Field model for assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. 2016; 105 ():201-216.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca; Marco Alberti. 2016. "A Near Field–Far Field model for assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard." Process Safety and Environmental Protection 105, no. : 201-216.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2016 in Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries
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A Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system can be applied to heavy-duty diesel trucks for achieving environmental benefits in comparison to existing diesel vehicles. Because of lack of reports about risk assessment of this technology, we performed a qualitative assessment based on a framework of some literature techniques for risk identification, analysis and evaluation. After constructing a Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) to establish the context, we conducted bow-tie analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), likelihood and consequence analysis, and used a risk matrix. We applied these methods and techniques qualitatively to identify causes (e.g. collisions), critical events (e.g. releases of natural gas), related consequences (e.g. fires and explosions), and different possible pathways from a specific cause to its consequence, and to assess some negative accident scenarios related to use and parking of the vehicle. The bow-tie analysis also allowed to make explicit barriers and controls that prevent critical events and/or mitigate consequences. Therefore, we identified a set of safety measures, including design, technical, management, and emergency actions, which shall be implemented in each step of the system's life cycle.Our risk assessment showed that the risk level of the Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system is similar to the risk level of a traditional diesel system. Future research will overcome current lack of data and, therefore, permit a quantitative rating of the risk of the Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Marco Alberti. Qualitative risk assessment of a Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system for heavy-duty trucks. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries 2016, 39, 39 -58.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Marco Alberti. Qualitative risk assessment of a Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system for heavy-duty trucks. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries. 2016; 39 ():39-58.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Marco Alberti. 2016. "Qualitative risk assessment of a Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system for heavy-duty trucks." Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries 39, no. : 39-58.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2016 in Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries
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In some working environments there may be Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) when workers are exposed to a low indoor oxygen level. This hazard can be assessed applying a predictive model. In the literature, there are sixteen models estimating the oxygen content subsequent to releases of inert gases. These models present several weaknesses, such as the rarity of consideration of accidental releases, of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems reliability, and of the existence of both forced and natural ventilation. For overcoming these weaknesses, we propose a new predictive model for assessing ODH caused by voluntary or accidental releases of inert gases. Our model is based on the balances of mass of air and of moles of oxygen. Our model fills some gaps identified in the literature models (e.g. the estimation of natural ventilation, infiltration, and exfiltration), and allows the identification of those parameters responsible for ODH. In order to evaluate our model, we have performed several simulation tests. We have obtained that our results are comparable to the outputs of some case studies available in the literature, and we have analysed the effects of some new aspects of the model. The model represents a helpful tool to implement in any working environment where ODH has to be assessed

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Marco Alberti. A predictive model for estimating the indoor oxygen level and assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH). Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries 2016, 39, 152 -172.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Marco Alberti. A predictive model for estimating the indoor oxygen level and assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH). Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries. 2016; 39 ():152-172.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Marco Alberti. 2016. "A predictive model for estimating the indoor oxygen level and assessing Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH)." Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries 39, no. : 152-172.

Review
Published: 01 June 2015 in Safety Science
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Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) may expose workers to asphyxiation risk. ODH assessment is often carried out only for highly risky working environments and through monitoring. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify predictive models that estimate indoor oxygen level and assess ODH in any working environment. The implementation of these models may be of help to the employer for the adoption of preventive and/or protective measures in order to improve workers' health and safety. We focused on models dealing with ODH assessment caused by inert gas releases. Inert gases are usually used in confined spaces and laboratories, and may cause asphyxiation without any preliminary physiological sign. The systematic review returned sixteen models for estimating oxygen concentration, oxygen partial pressure and/or ODH Classes. We critically analysed and compared predictive models through a framework of qualification indicators regarding indoor and outdoor parameters, ventilation aspects, causes and releases, and outputs. The analysis pointed out the weaknesses of the existing models that need to be addressed by future research, in particular related to the estimation of indoor oxygen level in time and in space, and the consideration of accidental releases and of HVAC systems reliability. The framework is also intended to support the selection of the most suitable model for the ODH assessment in a specific working environment

ACS Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca; Marco Alberti. Predictive models to assess Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH): A systematic review. Safety Science 2015, 75, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Elena Stefana, Filippo Marciano, Paola Cocca, Marco Alberti. Predictive models to assess Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH): A systematic review. Safety Science. 2015; 75 ():1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elena Stefana; Filippo Marciano; Paola Cocca; Marco Alberti. 2015. "Predictive models to assess Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH): A systematic review." Safety Science 75, no. : 1-14.