Avaliação de riscos e desenvolvimento de equipamento anti-queda para acesso vertical a espaços confinados

Na fábrica da EPAL, em Vale da Pedra, o risco de queda em altura no acesso vertical a espaços confinados, foi avaliado como sendo aceitável mediante a adoção de medidas de controlo que não existiam, ou que não eram adequadas, ou ainda que não eram utilizadas. Para responder a este problema, foi concebido, desenvolvido e ensaiado um inovador dispositivo portátil anti-queda. Este previne a queda no acesso entre o pavimento e os primeiros degraus de aberturas verticais conducentes a espaços confinados. Além da função preventiva, também pode fazer parte da proteção anti-queda, como ponto de ancoragem dos equipamentos de proteção contra quedas. Os ensaios realizados revelaram que, em comparação com as alternativas pré-fabricadas disponíveis, esta solução é mais adequada para prevenir quedas, por se adaptar a múltiplas configurações de acesso, com um dispositivo relativamente leve, fácil de transportar e de aplicar, estável e resistente. / In EPAL factory in Vale da Pedra, the risk of falling from a height in the vertical access to confined spaces, was evaluated as being acceptable by the adoption of control measures that did not exist, or were not suitable, or were not used. To respond to this problem, an innovative portable anti-falling device was designed, developed and tested. This prevents falling in access between the ground and the first steps of vertical openings leading to confined spaces. In addition to the preventive function, it can also be part of the fall-arrest protection, as anchor point of fall protection equipment. The tests revealed that, in comparison with the prefabricated alternatives available, this solution is best suited to prevent falls, due to its adaptability to multiple access settings, with a relatively light device, easy to carry and to use, stable and resistant.

Use of a portable topographic mapping millimetre wave radar at an active lava flow

A ground-based millimetre wave radar, AVTIS (All-weather Volcano Topography Imaging Sensor), has been developed for topographic monitoring. The instrument is portable and capable of measurements over ranges up to similar to 7 km through cloud and at night. In April and May 2005, AVTIS was deployed at Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, in order to determine topographic changes associated with the advance of a lava flow. This is the first reported application of mm-wave radar technology to the measurement of lava flux rates. Three topographic data sets of the flow were acquired from observation distances of similar to 3 km over an eight day period, during which the flow front was detected to have advanced similar to 200 m. Topographic differences between the data sets indicated a flow thickness of similar to 10 m, and a dense rock equivalent lava flux of similar to 0.20 +/- 0.08 m(3) s(-1).

Purpose built teaching equipment for a laboratory based course in three phase machines and drives

The hazards associated with high voltage three phase inverters and the rotating shafts of large electrical machines have resulted in most of the engineering courses covering these topics to be predominantly theoretical. This paper describes a set of purpose built, low voltage and low cost teaching equipment which allows the "hands on" instruction of three phase inverters and rotating machines. By using low voltages, the student can experiment freely with the motors and inverter and can access all of the current and voltage waveforms, which until now could only be studied in text books or observed as part of laboratory demonstrations. Both the motor and the inverter designs are optimized for teaching purposes cost around $25 and can be made with minimal effort.

Three-phase machines and drives - equipment for a laboratory-based course

The hazards associated with high-voltage three-phase inverters and high-powered large electrical machines have resulted in most of the engineering courses covering three-phase machines and drives theoretically. This paper describes a set of purpose-built, low-voltage, and low-cost teaching equipment that allows the hands-on instruction of three-phase inverters and rotating machines. The motivation for moving towards a system running at low voltages is that the students can safely experiment freely with the motors and inverter. The students can also access all of the current and voltage waveforms, which until now could only be studied in textbooks or observed as part of laboratory demonstrations. Both the motor and the inverter designs are for teaching purposes and require minimal effort and cost

Purpose built teaching equipment for a laboratory based course in three phase machines and drives

The hazards associated with high voltage three phase inverters ond the rotating sha@s of large electrical machines have resulted in most of the engineering courses covering these topics to be predominantly theoretical. This paper describes a set of purpose built, low voltage and low cost teaching equipment which allows the “hands on I’ instruction of three phase inverters and rotating machines. By using low voltages, the student can experiment freely with the motors and inverter and can access all of the current and voltage waveforms, which until now could only be studied in text books or observed as part of laboratory demonstrations. Both the motor and the inverter designs are optimized for teaching purposes, cost around $25 and can be made with minimal effort.

Three-phase machines and drives - Equipment for a laboratory-based course

The hazards associated with high-voltage three-phase inverters and high-powered large electrical machines have resulted in most of the engineering courses covering three-phase machines and drives theoretically. This paper describes a set of purpose-built, low-voltage, and low-cost teaching equipment that allows the hands-on instruction of three-phase inverters and rotating machines. The motivation for moving towards a system running at low voltages is that the students can safely experiment freely with the motors and inverter. The students can also access all of the current and voltage waveforms, which until now could only be studied in textbooks or observed as part of laboratory demonstrations. Both the motor and the inverter designs are for teaching purposes and require minimal effort and cost.

Pressure-relieving equipment: promoting its correct use amongst nurses via differing modes of educational delivery

Aims and objectives. To examine the impact of written and verbal education on bed-making practices, in an attempt to reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcers. Background. The Department of Health has set targets for a 5% reduction per annum in the incidence of pressure ulcers. Electric profiling beds with a visco-elastic polymer mattress are a new innovation in pressure ulcer prevention; however, mattress efficacy is reduced by tightly tucking sheets around the mattress. Design. A prospective randomized pre/post-test experimental design. Methods. Ward managers at a teaching hospital were approached to participate in the study. Two researchers independently examined the tightness of the sheets around the mattresses. Wards were randomized to one of two groups. Groups A and B received written education. In addition, group B received verbal education on alternate days for one week. Beds were re-examined one month later. One researcher was blinded to the educational delivery received by the wards. Results. Twelve wards agreed to participate in the study and 245 beds were examined. Before education, 113 beds (46%) had sheets tucked correctly around the mattresses. Following education, this increased to 215 beds (87.8%) (chi(2) = 68.03, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of correctly made beds between the two different education groups: 100 (87.72%) beds correctly made in group A vs. 115 (87.79%) beds in group B (chi(2) = 0, P 0.987). Conclusions. Clear, concise written instruction improved practice but verbal education was not additionally beneficial. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses are receptive to clear, concise written evidence regarding pressure ulcer prevention and incorporate this into clinical practice.