Time Loss (time + loss)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


A Dynamic Inspection Model for Wearing Production Systems

INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002
Marcello Braglia
The aim of this paper is to correlate the deterioration process of a production system with the items control process and, as a consequence, with the equipment inspection policy. The objective is to consider how the wear of the manufacturing system influences the values of the control process parameters and how these parameters have to be changed in accordance with the need to maintain optimal (working) conditions. Adopting a Weibull failure-time distribution, it is shown how these parameters must be changed (at different times t) in order to maintain optimal working conditions. To test the inspection model, a weighted cost function dependent on the time loss for the production of defective units and for the production shut-down (in order to make an inspection to control the state of the system) is developed. [source]


Harvesting of intraoral autogenous block grafts from the chin and ramus region: Preliminary results with a variable square pulse Er:YAG laser

LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008
Stefan Stübinger DDS
Abstract Background and Objectives It was the aim of this pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, benefits and limitations of a variable square pulse (VSP) Er:YAG laser for harvesting intraoral bone grafts from either the chin or ramus region. Materials and Methods In 12 patients (5 female, 7 male) a VSP Er:YAG laser was used to harvest bone grafts either from the ramus (3) or the symphyseal area (9). For the osteotomies, the Er:YAG laser was applied with a pulse energy of 1,000 mJ, a pulse duration of 300 microseconds, and a frequency of 12 Hz (energy density 157 J/cm2). The spot size was 0.9 mm and the handpiece was kept at a distance of about 10 mm from the bone surface. Results There was no visible carbonization or osseous debris on the surface of the osteotomy gap. Damage of adjacent soft tissue structures by mechanical or thermal trauma was minimal. Cutting efficiency was excellent and the overall time required for the procedure was not increased. However, due to a free manual positioning of the laser beam in the non-contact mode, it was difficult to get a well defined osteotomy line without irregularities on the surface. Slight deviations of the original angulation of the laser beam led to considerable bone loss which restricted osteotomy of ramus grafts to three cases. Depth control was limited to visual inspection. Conclusion The bone ablation technique using a (VSP) Er:YAG laser yielded superior clinical results without impairment of wound healing and in comparison to other laser systems, no significant time loss occurred. Yet, the missing depth control and the necessity of carefully handling the laser beam position and its angulation limit the use of a (VSP) Er:YAG laser to regions where a safe and fixed guidance of the laser beam is feasible. Lesers Surg. Med. 40:312,318, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Temporary workers in Washington State

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010
Caroline K. Smith MPH
Abstract Background Evidence regarding the unequal burden of occupational injuries between workers employed by temporary agencies and those in standard employment arrangements is unclear. Studies range from no significant differences in risk to substantial increased risk for temporary workers. The purpose of this study is to compare the workers' compensation experience of a large cohort of temporary agency employed workers with those in standard forms of employment. Methods Washington State Fund workers' compensation data were obtained for claims with injury dates from January 1, 2003 to June 30, 2006, resulting in 342,540 accepted claims. General descriptive statistics, injury rates (per 10,000 FTE), and rate ratios (temp agency/standard employer) were computed by injury type and industry. Results Temporary agency employed workers had higher rates of injury for all injury types, and higher median time loss (40 vs. 27 days) but lower time loss costs (median $1,224 vs. $1,914, P,<,0.001) and lower medical costs ($3,026 vs. $4,087, P,<,0.001) than standard arrangement workers. Temporary agency workers had substantially higher rates for "caught in" and "struck by" injuries in the construction (IRR 4.93; 95% CI 2.80,8.08) and manufacturing (IRR 4.05; 95% CI 3.25, 5.00) industry sectors. Conclusion Temporary agency employed workers have higher claims incidence rates than those in standard employment arrangements. The rate ratios are twofold higher in the construction and manufacturing industry sectors. More research is needed to explore potential reasons for this disparity in occupational injuries. Industry or some measure of job exposure should be included when comparing injury rates in different types of employment in order to better identify areas for prevention. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:135,145 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Predictors of delayed return to work after back injury: A case,control analysis of union carpenters in Washington State

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009
Kristen L. Kucera PhD
Abstract Methods Union administrative records identified 20,642 union carpenters who worked in Washington State from 1989 to 2003. The Department of Labor and Industries provided records of workers' compensation claims and associated medical care. Work-related back claims (n,=,4,241) were identified by ANSI codes (back, trunk, or neck/back) or ICD-9 codes relevant to medical care consistent with a back injury. Cases (n,=,738) were defined as back injury claims with >90 days of paid lost time; controls (n,=,699) resulted in return to work within 30 days. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95% CI) of delayed return to work (DRTW). Results Thirty percent of case claims and 8% of control claims were identified by an ICD-9 code. DRTW after back injury was associated with being female (2.7, 95% CI: 1.3,5.5), age 30,44 (1.2, 95% CI: 0.9,1.7) and age over 45 (1.6, 95% CI: 1.1,2.3), four or more years union experience (1.4, 95% CI: 1.1,1.8), previous paid time loss back claim (1.8, 95% CI: 1.3,2.5), and ,30-day delay to medical care (3.6, 95% CI: 2.1, 6.1). Evidence of more acute trauma was also associated with DRTW. Conclusions Use of ICD-9 codes identified claims with multiple injuries that would otherwise not be captured by ANSI codes alone. Though carpenters of younger age and inexperience were at increased risk for a paid lost time back injury claim, older carpenters and more experienced workers, once injured, were more likely to have DRTW as were those who experienced acute events. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:821,830, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]