Associate professor Agnieszka Wolska from CIOP-PIB, Poland, participated in a scientific internship through the PEROSH Researcher Exchange Program at BAuA in Dortmund, from December 11th to December 21st, 2023. The internship was aimed to exchange experiences in measuring and assessing health risks at workplaces, particularly regarding optical radiation and other physical hazards as well as learning about the scientific activities of the BAuA Division 2 Products and Work Systems.
Information about current BAuA scientific projects as well as visits to Division 2 Laboratories (named “Technikum”) were provided. Very interesting demonstrations on various technologies, including a solar radiation measurement station, acoustic chambers, a scanning chamber for measuring anthropometric parameters and a Spot mobile robot (see figure 1) were presented.
One of the main discussions was centered on developing assumptions for a new PEROSH expert platform on optical radiation (EPOS) and exploring potential PEROSH projects related to:
• method and criteria for assessing the safety, health and ergonomics aspects of using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) goggles at work,
• climate change and occupational health, particularly the impact of climate change on workers’ exposure to natural UV radiation.
Working meetings focused on non-visual effects of light on the human body and the effects of artificial light on night-shift workers’ circadian rhythms and sleep quality. This fostered the exchange of experiences from scientific work carried out by both institutes. The discussions led to agreements to propose a new PEROSH expert network on the non-visual effects of light (NOVEL). The formation of such a network would allow for collaborative project generation within PEROSH as an introduction/recognition of specific topics and subsequent applications for HORIZON EUROPE projects.
The internship gave the opportunity to discuss extended cooperation possibilities between CIOP-PIB and BAuA.
Due to the coincidence of the research internship period with the pre-Christmas season, the added value was the opportunity to participate in events celebrated at BAuA, such as singing of Christmas carols by BAuA employees, which was also attended by the president of BAuA – Isabel Rothe.
Taking that occasion Agnieszka Wolska had the opportunity to talk to Isabel Rothe, Armin Windel and other colleagues from the top management of BAuA. In a brief exchange of views, Isabel Rothe and Armin Windel welcomed the proposal to extend the cooperation between BAuA and CIOP-PIB. It also gave the opportunity to take a photo together (figure 2).
Overall, the exchange was highly productive, providing valuable insights into BAuA’s research activities and laying the groundwork for future collaboration between BAuA and CIOP-PIB within the PEROSH network.
Additionally, have a look at the PEROSH repository on articles and publications around radiation. Are you interested to stay up to date, subscribe to our newsletter and events.
For further information on EPOS, contact: Stefan Bauer from BAuA
Bauer.Stefan@baua.bund.de
For further information on NOVEL, contact: Kai Broszio from BAuA
Broszio.Kai@baua.bund.de
Figure 1. The Spot mobile robot “assisted” the guest from CIOP-PIB in Technikum
Figure 2. Joint photo at the Christmas tree in BAuA (from left to right: Andreas Wojtysiak, Stefan Bauer, Isabel Rothe (president of BAuA), Agnieszka Wolska, Armin Windel, Helga Sukowski, Sebastian Haus-Rybicki)
