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ANNUAL REPORT2005-2006

ROMANIAN CIS CENTRE

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WHITE CHART OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OFRESEARCH-DEVELOPMENT ON LABOR PROTECTION "ALEXANDRU DARABONT"

Name: National Institute of Research-Development on Labor Protection "Alexandru Darabont"Short name (Acronym): INCDPM "Alexandru Darabont"

Manager: Dr.eng. Mihai Costescu - General Director

Contact data:15, General Budisteanu str., sector 1010 773/Bucarest, RomaniaTel: + 40-21-313 31 58Fax: + 40-21-3157822,E-mail: mcostescu@protectiamuncii.roWeb: http://www.protectiamuncii.ro

Short history:The institute has developed a continuous activity for more than 50 years, dedicated to studies andresearches in occupational risks prevention area, in substantiation of legal framework of laborprotection and development of training system in this field, as well as in practical solutions andtechnical assistance provided to undertakings in order to improve the work environment. Thedevelopment framework:

. It was set up in 1951, as Institute of Hygiene and Labor Protection by Decision of RomanianAcademy Board and Executive Committee of General Confederation of Labor, having as goal theresearch and scientific solutions for issues in the labor protection and technical safety area existingin undertakings and institutions.Reorganized by HCM (Decision of the Council of Ministers) no. 75 of 5 February 1970 as Instituteof Scientific Researches for Labor Protection.Reorganized on the principle of self-financing, by Order of Labor Ministry no. 40 of 27 February1970.The HG (Government Decision) no. 406 of 20 July 1998, reorganizes it as national institute andbecomes the National In$titute of Research-Development on Labor Protection, coordinated byMinistry of Labor, Social Solidarity and Family, thus representing the only national institute ofresearch and development in safety and health at work area in Romania.The HG no. 1772 of 21 October 2004, settles the National Institute of Research-Development onLabor Protection "Alexandru Darabont", coordinated by Ministry of Labor, Social Solidarity andFamily, with an extended area of services, studies, application researches and good practices insafety and health at work field.

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Patrimony:Buildmgs : 1Total area ofland: 2670 smBuilt area: 2595 sm

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Field of activity (according to CAEN code, UNESCO code, HG of set up):Main activity according to CAEN code:7310 - Research and development activities in the area of physical and natural sciences (physics,chemistry, technical science, biology).7320 - Research and development activities in the area of humanities and social sciences.

Activities according to UNESCO code:3399 - Work environment engineering and technology6310.09- Life quality

Technological platform: Industrial safetyIn accordance with the Regulation of organization and functioning approved by HG no. 1772 of21 October 2004:Activities of fundamental scientific research:

scientific substantiation of the development strategy in the safety and health at work area;methodological coordination of research activity in the safety and health at work area at nationallevel;development of theoretical and concept basis of safety and health at work;substantiation of national regulation system in the safety and health at wok area;study of occupational risks and their impact on the workers' health and safety;elaboration of identification analysis and assessment instruments for occupational risks;elaboration of auditing instruments for work systems;elaboration of assessment instruments for costs of work accidents and occupational diseases;substantiation of the assessment system for conformity of safety/protection quality for workequipment (WE) and personal protective equipment (PPE);elaboration of assessment instruments of protection/safety quality conformity, inspection andtechnical diagnosis for WE and PPE;elaboration of safety and health at work management systems integrated in the general managementof companies;ergonomic optimization of activities and work places;substantiation and elaboration of psycho-physiological criteria for the selection and professionaltraining related to occupational risks and demands;optimization of the national system for personnel training and retraining in the safety and health atwork area;-

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Activities of applicable research and development (R-D)applicable studies and researches for the risk prevention and control of work accidents andoccupational diseases (chemical, mechanical, electrical, thermal risks, noise, vibrations, ultrasound,lighting, microclimate, non-ionizing radiation, lasers, plasma, ergonomic and psycho-social risks);applicable studies and researches in order to carry out:. industrial ventilation plants;

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. chemical contaminants neutralization plants;

. lighting equipment;

. protective equipment against electrocution and fire;

. protective devices to reduce mechanical risks;

. devices against noise and vibratioI1$.;

. personal protective equipment;

. protective creams,studies and researches on drawing up the national regulation system in the safety and health atwork area that is harmonized with the EU one:. draw up safety and health at work norms;. draw up safety at work standards;. draw up safety and health at work instructions;. draw up product safety sheets;studies and researches on drawing up support material for personnel training and retraining (textbooks, courses, guides, tests);study of risk factor effects on the health state and work behavior;development of software for risk computerized assessment and management;development of software for assessment of work accident costs;development of expert systems for training-testing assisted by computer;development of IT systems for promoting and disseminating the information in safety and health atwork area.

Methodological activities of legislation implementation:certification of protection/safety quality of work equipment and personal protective equipment,their inspection and technical diagnosis;assessment of occupational risks at work places;audit of companies as for safety and health at work;expertise of work places in order to identify particular or special work environments;implementation of safety and health at work management systems at company level;issue of infonnation materials and dissemination of infonnation in the safety and health at workarea.

Training and retraining of specialists in the safety and health at work area:courses of graduate level;courses of university level;courses of post-university level.

- Edit instruction and training material and disseminate information on safety and health at work(text books, books, brochures, guides, courses, norms, instructions, posters, tests).

Technical assistance for:

development of plants, equipment or devices for the prevention and control of occupational risks;development of analysis, measurements and assessments of risk factor levels;psycho-physiological testing for several categories of workers;development of personal protective means;development of protective creams;

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dissemination of information in the safety and health at work area.

Technical assistance and consulting provided to the undertakings for:meeting the provisions of the legislation in force;organizing the activity oflabor protectiQn;implementing the management of safety and health at work;manufacturing the plants, equipment and devices for the prevention and control of occupationalrisks;developing labor protection instructions;

-. selecting the personal protective equipment;performing expertise of wok places in order to identify particular and special work environments;assessing the conformity, inspection and technical diagnosis of work equipment and personalprotective equipment;developing the products which meet the safety and health at work essential requirements in order tobe competitive,on the market;designing ergonomic work places;developing technical and organization solutions to improve the work conditions;developing measurements and laboratory analysis on risk factors.

Participation in the development of technological transfer by direct contracts with undertakingsin order to put into practice the f"mdingsof researches in the labor protection area

Development of prototypes and small series for products resulted from researches

Main directions of research in areas of activity (specialty):

1. Study of occupational risks, impact on safety and health at work - technical solutions forprevention of work accidents and occupational diseases

2. Prevention of risks generated by work equipment3. Design and development of personal protective means4. Ergonomic studies and researches5. Studies and researches for scientific substantiation of regulation acts in order to support the policy

application of adapting the national legislation to European acquis, to develop and improve theregulation framework of labor protection

6. Instruments, methods of assessment and audit, management systems in the safety and health atwork area

7. Training and retraining in the safety and health at work area8. Information and dissemination of information in the safety and health at work area-Organizational structureThe main elements of organizational structure of INCDPM "Alexandru Darabont" are presented in thediagram below:

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-ADMINISTRATION

BOARD

SCIENTIFICGENERAL DIRECTION

BOARD DIRECTOR - COMMITTEE

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r------------------ISCIENTIFIC I ROMANIAN FOCAL I CERTIFICATION FINANCIALSCIENTIFIC I I

DIRECTOR I POINT OF EASHW IBODY DIRECTORI ISECRETARY 1 I

1- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ I

I I I IOFFICE OF COMP ARTMENT COMPARTMENT COMPARTMENT OF

DOCUMENTATION, TRAINING OF AQ, PM, PM, OF HUMAN RESOURCESEDITING, DISSEMINATIONCENTER PSI INTERNATIONAL LA W OFFICOF INFORMATION, PUBLIC

RELAnONS AND MASS RELATIONSMEDIA - CIS NAnONAL

CENTER

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COMPARTMENT OF COMPARTMENT OFDEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF WORKACCOUNTANCY AUDIT AND

WORK SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENT ANDFINANCIAL CHECKPUBLIC ENVIRONMENT

COMPARTMENT OFDEPARTMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING, PLANNING COMPARTMENT OF

WORK EQUIPMENT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE AND MONITORING OF ADMINISTRATIONMEANS ACTIVITY

The research-development departments subordinated to the scientific director are the following:Department of Work Systems including the following laboratories:1. Laboratory of work accidents and occupational diseases evaluation2. Laboratory of safety and health at work management3. Laboratoryof worksystemsergonomic~.4. Laboratory of safety at work synthesisDepartment of Work Environment and Public Environment:1. Laboratory of chemical and biological risks

a) Chemical risks teamb) Biological and carcinogens agents team

2. Laboratory of physical risksa) Noise, vibrations, ultra sounds teamb) Microclimate teamc) Lightning teamd) Ionizing radiation team

3. Laboratory of industrial ventilationDepartment of Work Equipment1. Laboratory of mechanical risks2. Laboratory of electrical risksDepartment of Personal Protective Means1. Laboratory of personal protective equipment2. Laboratory of protective creams

Human Resourcestotal number of personnel: 136number of personnel in the research-development activity: 97number of personnel with university degree: 70number of researchers on categories: Senior researchers I: 6; Senior researchers Il: 20; Seniorresearchers Ill: 15; Senior researchers: 11; researchers: 2number of doctors: 11number of candidates for a doctor's degree: 15

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Offer of research and development and services:Activities of research and development: fundamental researches and researches directed towardvarious areas of safety and health at work; applicable researches for the prevention and control ofoccupationalrisks - industrial ventilation, control of contaminants,control of mechanicalrisks atmachines and plants, control of noise and vibrations, control of electrical risks, design and developmentof personal protective equipment, solution of skin protection by protective creams, ergonomic studes,studies for effective lightening at the work place, studies and researches on the substantiation of thenational regulatory system in the labor protection area to be hannonized with the European legislation,studies and researches for the national system of training, retrainig, infonnation and dissemination ofinfonnation in the safety and health at work area, elaboration of methods, methodologies, patterns forrisk assessment level at the work place and safety provision of work systems; Services: design anddevelopment of plants, devices, equipment and personal protective means to control the occupationalrisks, risk assessment and expertise of the work places as for occupational safety, laboratory tests andcertification of safety quality for work equipment and personal protective equipment, technical

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assistance for drawing up the labor protection instructions, development oflabor protection activitjes atthe undertaking level, training courses for graduate level, post-university training and candidate for adoctor's degreecourses,smallscaleproduction- protective creams, protective equipment and devices.

Activities of editing and issuing the special publications: general norms of labor protection, specificnorms of labor protection, "Risk and safety at work" magazine, bibliographic newsletters, studies,reports and syntheses on the research findings, safety sheets of chemicals, guides of risk prevention,text books oflabor protection and management of safety and health at work etc.

Accredited laboratories (for certificates, analysis, determinations etc.).

Laboratory for tests of personal protective equipment - Certificate of accreditation no. 341-L of 23may 2005 in accordance with SR EN ISO/CEI 17025:2001, issued by RENAR.Area of competence: specific tests for main groups of products.Safety, protection or working footwear for professional use made of leather or leather like products,including the fur parts (category I) or made of rubber or polymers (category 11)by casting, gluing orsewing, including fur parts, meant for any risks, as well as protection garments: low shoes, ankle boots,boots, galoshes, protective toe-cap, pierce-proof metallic insertions etc.;Protective filtering or insulating respirators: filters of particles or gas, gas half-masks and masks,autonomous or non-autonomous respirators etc;Protective gloves and other equipment of hand protection: gloves against mechanical, thermal, electricrisks, finger stalls, over sleevs etc.Personal protective equipment for face and eyes and accessories: lens, prisms and other opticalelements, mounted or not; protective goggles for skiers or sun glasses; frames or frame elements forgoggles; arc welding masks etc;Protective clothing and articles of flexible materials: clothes and their work details, personalprotective equipment of no simple design made of flexible materials (overalls, trousers, aprons, faceprotection, gaiters etc. against chemicals, fire, cold etc.) flexible equipment for head protection (caps,bonnets, hats etc.);Life jackets and PPE against drowning: life jackets, armlets, life-buoy and other protectiveequipment to prevent drowning, protective equipment and accessories against drowning etc.;Protective clothing of simple design, working clothing and working underwear: protective clothingand accessories against minor risks (overalls, trousers, cape, aprons); underwear, socks, stockings,tights used as protective underwear;Crash helmets (for industrial use, of light type, for climbers, sports, firemen etc.).PPE against fall from height: harness, lanyards, connectors, anchorage devices, energy absorbers, fallarresters etc.Other special groups of electric insulating equipment - electro-insulating mats, electro-insulatingblankets.-In the process of accreditation: Laboratory of Chemical and Biological Risks, Laboratory of PhysicalRisks and Body of Product Certification.

Services - Collaborations - specific competence in providing services, collaboration with thirdparties, etc.

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Specialized laboratories in the study of risks, analysis and determinations, risk assessment andsub'stantiation of prevention measures on specific risk categories: mechanical risks, electric risks,chemical risks, noise and vibrations, industrial ventilation, ergonomic risks, psycho-social risks,electromagnetic radiation, lightening, personal protective means, protective creams.Bodyof productcertification '.'

Training center in the safety and health at work area.

Activity performed in internal programs - total 65, out of which:PNCDI- AEROSPATIALE -1 projectPNCDI- CALIST -19 projectsPNCDI- CERES.-~ projectPNCDI- INFOSOC -3 projectsPNCDI- INFRAS - 8 projectsPNCDI- INVENT - 2 projectsPNCDI- MENER - 4 projectsPNCDI- RELANSIN - 4 projectsPNCDI- CERCETARE DE EXCELENTA (RESEARCH OF EXCELLENCE) - 3 projectProgram Nucleu (nucleus program) - 20 projects

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The most important projects completed in PNCDI:PNCDICERES:

. Harmonization of the Romanian legislation on safety and health at work with the Social Directivesderiving from article 137 of the Amsterdam Treaty. Substantiation of the methodologicalframework to implement the provisions of the Law no. 346/2002 on insurance to work accidentsand occupational diseases.PNCDI INFOSOC:

. Development of an information and dissemination of information network in the safety and healthat work area.PNCDI RELANSIN:

. Study on the development of optimum environment for human resources, development of safetyand heath at work in order to increase the adapting capacity of companies and their personnel to thechanges brought about by the new IT technologies

. Technologies for inactivation of galvanic residues of heavy metal content in accordance with thenew requirements imposed by the integration of Romania into the EU space

. Research, design, development and technology implementation of lA TYPE aerosols sealedcostume for work in environments of chemicals of unknown concentrationsPNCDIMENER:

. Pilot project to investigate the possibilities to reduce the risk from the CNE high voltage equipment.

. System of pollution integrated control at packing glass manufacturing based on the requirements ofthe Directive 96/71PNCDI CALIST :

. Integral transposition of European standards in the application of the directives on WE and PPEsafety, ergonomics and contaminants emissions at the work place

. Drawing up a methodology to correlate the anthropometric dimensions with the constructivedimensions of3 representative types/2-5 brands of protective clothes.

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· Implementation and certification of the integrated management system of quality and environmentat SC. Nitramonia SA. - subcontract 1/26.11.2002PNCDI BIOTECH :

. Biotechnology of cleaning for waters containing heavy metals.PNCDI INFRAS : ..

· Development of a laboratory of safety specific tests for personal protective equipment in order to bealigned to the requirements of ISO 17025.

· Performance determination of testing laboratories on atmospheric pollution by inter-laboratorycomparative charts

· Impact study on the transposition of European directives in the fields of work equipment, personalprotective equipment and equipment used in potentially explosive areas

Activity developed in international programs2004-2006 "Initiate and long term professional train for disabled persons" within Leonardo daVinci program2003-2006"Internationalnetwork to develop the process safety" - Growthprogram, coordinator"Riso National Laboratory (Risoe.Sad) Denmark2003-2004 "Topic Center Good practices for candidate countries" - PHARE Program, GRANT B2003-PHA-3250-HS-2290-TCGP CC -, Coordinated by the European Agency of Safety andHealth at Work

Participation of individual experts to the development of the project "Set up and implement aninsurance system to risks of work accidents and occupational diseases" within the PHARE ProgramRO 2002/005-586.04.05.01 TACIS WAOD

Participation of an individual expert, evaluator of post-doctoral projects within the 6 FrameworkProgram - Marie Curie Action Mobility 5,6,7 - 2002-2006

Participation to consortiums, networks, technological platforms - value of research anddevelopment activity (in RON)

activity total value: 26.025.848,00 RONvalue of activity financed from the budget: 6.110.741,00 RONvalue of activity financed by direct contracts with companies:19.915.107,00 RON

Financial resources attracted from:internal contracts: 6.110.741,00 RONinternational ones: 48.949,95 (EUROs)

Results of research-development activity:

- Products, technologies, prototypes: 20In the area of controllingthe work environmentand publicenvironmentpollution- filteringtechnicalsolutions - pollutants retaining, design and manufacturing of ventilation equipment:.Treatment procedure of wastes containing toxic metals - patent of invention no. 119592B1I2004,authors dr..eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, eng. Raluca STEPAResults: elaboration of a procedure to encapsulate toxic metals from wastes containing zinc, tin, cobalt,chrome, nickel, cadmium, magnesium, lead, resulted in great quantities from the protection

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technologies of metallic surfaces and their transfonnation into a stable product which does not affectthe environment factors. Such procedure supposes the transfonnation of toxic metals from wastes intostable compounds by treatment with waste resulted from oxyacetylene welding and its cement sealingwith other two waste types, that is blast-furnace slag of latent binding properties and optionally, gritfrom blasting. '.'

Technology and plant to neutralize the acid pollutant emissions - demo model developed withinthe INVENT program 2002 - 2004, subprogram 1 MPD. Project manager dr. eng. StelutaNisipeanuResults: development of an experimental model for neutralization of acid pollutant emissions havingthe possibility to neutralize the emissions of nitrogen and sulfur with an efficiency of 90-92%.The equipment can be used for an emission flow of 1000-5000 Nm31h,initial concentration of nitrogenoxides: 700-3000 mg/m3, initial concentration of sulfur dioxide: 500-3000 mg/m3. Depending on theneutralizing agent, the resulted byproducts can be further used.

Demo model for technology and plant for cleaning the emissions of dusts and pollutant gas -developed within INVENT program 2003-2005, 1 MPD program, project manager dr.eng.Steluta NISIPEANUResults: development of an experimental model for cleaning the emissions of tiny dusts (smaller than2.5 microns) and a maximum efficiency of 92%.The equipment can be also used for collecting thedusts of less than 10 microns in size (breathable dusts) with a maximum efficiency of 96%.The fonnand dimensions of the tank with the solution for retaining the pollutants favors the dust decantation, itsseparation and reuse in the productive circuit.Together with the dust retaining, that is the main application, the equipment can retain the organic gaspollutants (COV), with an efficiency of 10-25%.

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Equipment for collecting and retaining the dusts resulted from the parts blasting - beneficiary:GENERAL TURBO - BucharestResults: The equipment designed and manufactured at the beneficiary in order to collect and retain thedust of silica content resulted from the blasting technological process contributed to the reduction ofcontaminants both in the work environment and public environment to the limits admitted by theregulation in force. The equipment is patented.

Equipment for collecting and retaining the dusts resulted from grinding and polishing operationsof turbineblades- beneficiary:GENERALTURBO- BucharestResults: An equipment for local collecting and retaining of very fine dusts of microns and smaller thanmicrons size, with two step filters was developed to allow air recycling in order to reduce the electricand thermal power consumption and avoid further investments in equipment of fresh air introductionthat needs heating in the cold season. The equipment is patented.

Equipment for collecting and clearing the fumes from the arc furnaces for iron manufacturing -UPETROM 1 Mai - PloiestiResults: Following the experiments made in the laboratory of industrial ventilation system ofcontaminant collecting directly from inside the furnace was designed and manufactured so that it doesnot have a negative influence on the technological process by charge oxidation and the powerconsumption and the investment are reduced to a minimum. The application of the gas cleaningprocedure improved the working environment, increased the melting productivity by approximately20% and realized an air purity of 99.9%. Due to its high efficiency the solution has been generalized toother similar furnaces of 8 t, 5 t and 3 t. The equipment is patented.

Study and development of projects for improvements at Non-ferrous Foundry - beneficiary:UPETROM 1 Mai - PloiestiResults: Technical solutions on which manufacturing projects were drawn to collect the contaminantsat source and retain them in filters of self cleaning and automatic discharge were set in order to reducethe pollution of the working environment and public environment. There were dawn up 5 projects ofequipment for collecting and retaining the contaminants at the preparation stations, welding furnacesand centrifugal casting machines. The solutions that were adopted and implemented resulted incollecting the contaminants at the place where they are produced by using some mobile devices thatcollect contaminants from every step of equipment running.

-Equipment for collecting and retaining the dusts resulted from furniture fmishing operations -MOBIMIXT-PascaniResults: The contaminants were measured and the findings determined the design of equipment tocontrol the contaminants at the furniture finishing, grinding, dying, varnishing and drying operations.The equipment provides the contaminant collection with the help of a mix equipment of general andlocal ventilation. The collected contaminants are passed through a neutralizing filter and exhaustedoutdoor, without pollution. Such equipment prevented the ill health by intoxication and the reduction ofexplosion and fire risks caused by gas accumulation in the work spaces.

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Neutralizing methods of depreciated chemicals in order to prevent the risks of work accidentsand occupational diseases - developed within the NUCLEUS PROGRAM 2003-2005,sub program of Health and safetY at work, project manager: dr.eng. Steluta Nisipeanu.Results: There were selected and settled methods of neutralization for a number of chemicals, namely:cyanides (sodiUm, potassium), acids (chlorine hydride, sulfuric acid, nitric acid), organic solvents(toluene, xylene), toxic metals (lead, chrome, cadmium, nickel, manganese). After checking in thelaboratory the methods the final solutions were presented and promoted at companies, universities andauthorities of environment protection. The findings of the project were published in leaflets andbrochures, as well as on the site of the Romaman focal point of the European Agency of Safety andHealth at Work in order to be disseminated.The findings were focused on the description of the neutralizing methods, areas of use andtechnological efficiency, as well as their advantages.

Device for determining the thermal transmission by contact - L-DITTC 500 type, applying themethodof SR EN 702:2003"Protectiveclothing- Protectionagainstheat and fire - Testingmethod:determination of contact thermal transmission by protective clothing or its materials", necessary tosettled the conformity with the protection requirements for PPE against thermal risks (clothes, gloves,footwear).

Device for determining the resistance of materials and material groups exposed to a radiant heatsource (L-RAD) for applying the testing methods (method A and method B) described in theEuropean Standard SR EN ISO 6942:2003 "Protective clothing. Protection against heat and fire.Testing method: assessment of material and material groups exposed to a radiant heat source" (ISO6942: 2002) necessary to settle the conformity with the protection requirements for PPE againstthermal risks (clothes, gloves, footwear).

Technological transferResearch results completed and applied to beneficiaries - 30 technological transfersThe technological capital transferred in the national economy system includes technologies, plants,equipment, protective devices, PPE, protective creams and ergonomic solutions of work placearrangements that contribute to improve the work conditions in undertakings and assure the safetyrequirementsprovidedin the legislationin force- normsand safety standards.The transferredlogisticcapital, resulted from studies and researches includes methods, methodologies, procedures andinstruments of risk analysis, diagnosis, control and monitoring, audits of work systems, economicimpact assessment methods of work accidents and occupational diseases, calculation methods ofinsurance quotes to work accidents and occupational diseases, procedures of conformity assessment forwork equipment and personal protective equipment for professional use, assessment methods ofphysical effort in load handling, elaboration methodology of specific occupational safety norms etc.Examples:-

Technology and equipment to neutralize the acid pollutant emissionsBeneficiary STEAUA ELECTRICA Fieni. The equipment of column type with three step cleaningneutralized nitrogen oxides (cleaning efficiency of 92%) and sulfur oxides (cleaning efficiency of95%)resulted from the pickling process. The pollutant emissions after cleaning are under the admitted limitsof the regulation in force.

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Technology and equipment to clean the emissions of dusts and pollutant gasBeneficiary: POLIMAT Brasov. The equipment combines the functioning principles of a cyclone withthose of an absorption column resulting in an advanced retaining (retaining efficiency of 92%) of veryfine dusts (diameter of 1-3 microns) ITomcomposite part grinding, having the possibility to recover and-reusethem. A retaining of COY emissions was developed at the same time.

Indissolubility of galvanic residues with heavy metal contentBeneficiary: AKER - Tulcea, Se. CONTACTOARE - Buzau, SUPER YLDIZ - Priseaca, VIVALNEF - Brebeni. The application of treatment technology resulted in the reduction of the dangerousnesslevel of residues as the treated waste can fall into the class of non-dangerous waste, some compoundshaving concentrations even under the admitted limits for inert waste. The advantages lie in low costsfor final deposit and reduced costs for other wastes used as raw material. The possibility of using thetreated waste as construction material is being studied.

Neutralization of toxic residues with cyanides content - Beneficiary: UAMT - Oradea.Byoxidative roasting of waste with cyanides in the heat treatment bath the neutralization of cyanides(efficiency 97%) was achieved, the rest of the residue being reused in the process. Theneutralization was carried out with minimum investments, using the heat treatment furnaces of theundertaking.

Research, design, development and implementation of manufacturing technology for an overallof chemical protection, non-ventilated, insulated to gas, type 1 a - Beneficiary: SC. PROSALVSRL

Economic effects: Sales reach 10,000 Euros per year, with an average growth rate of 5% per year andan estimated gross profit of about 3,000 Euros. The mean profit rate is about 7-10% providing adividend of about 3% of the turnover. The time to recoup the investment is 2-3 years. The profitabilitythreshold is exceeded in the third year of running.

Design guide of protective clothing - Beneficiaries to which the technological transfer was applied:se. GENERAL CONF GRUP SRL - Bucharest; SC. FASTEX EXP SRL - Iassy; Cooperative "Muncasi Arta" (Work and Art) - Bucharest.Economic effects: Sales reached 5,000 Euros per year with an average growth rate of 5% per year andan estimated gross profit of about 1,200 Euros. The mean profit rate is about 4-6% providing adividend of about 1,2% of the turnover. The time to recoup the investment is 2-3 years. Theprofitability threshold is exceeded in the third year of running.

-- Study on the development of conditions to use in an optimum way the human resources, safetyand health at work environment in order to increase the adapting capacities of undertakings andtheir personnel to changes brought about by the new IT technologies - RELANSIN PROGAM -subprogram 5: Improvement of life quality - Beneficiary: SC. AEROSTAR SA - Bacau.Results: implementation program of R-D project imdings (objectives- activities-responsibilities -deadlines - costs), manual of use for the designed methodology and procedures and implementation ofmultidimensional patterns of IT activities and work places in relation with ergonomic criteria.Economic effects: increase of about 10-20% of the sold production volume, together with thereduction of unitary costs with at least 10%; decrease of stocks, more rapid turning the debts into goodaccount, more efficient treatment of current debts with a possible cut of penalties. Increase of the

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rotation speed of stocks and debts, reduction of the necessary work capital, improvement of liquidities,reduction of financial expenses, especially the interest expenses, as well as losses :trom unfavorabledifferences of currency exchange with 10-40%, more efficient financial control, improvement of thedecision act and response speed to events within the undertaking and outside it, improvement of thecapacity to satisfy the clients' demands and.extend the clients' base; increase of contract volume by 20-50% in the next 2-3 years.

Patentsapplication of patents to OSIM: 10

. Adjustable device for contaminant collection;

. Equipment for contaminant collection :tromelectric welding in C02 and plasma jet;

. Equipment for pollutant control at gas cutting of big heads.

patents awarded by OSIM: 9, out of which the most representative are:. Composition to seal the toxic metals :tromwastes - Patent of invention no. 119.592/2005. Treatmentprocedureof wastecontainingtoxicmetals-Patent of invention no. 119.592b112004. Mechanicalfilterof two filteringsteps- Patentof inventionno. 118.382B/2003. Equipment for local collecting and retaining of lead aerosols and chlorine hydride vapors at vehicle

radiators manufacturing -Patent of invention no. 118.383B/2003. Technology of indissolubility of galvanic residues with heavy metal content -Patent of invention

no. A 100.30312001.

patents awarded to various invention shows:. Diplomaof excellencefor"Mechanicalfilterof twostepfiltering"- TIB - INVENTIKA2003 -

Sevastopol 2005.

Awards:

Diploma of excellence for "Mechanical filter of two step filtering" - TIB -INVENTIKA 2003Diploma of merit for "Cleaning biotechnology of used waters with heavy metal content" atCONRO- 2002Diploma of merit for "Wet filter" at CONRO - 2001Diploma of merit for "Cleaning equipment of volatile hydrocarbons emissions" at CONRO - 2001Diploma of merit for "Neutralizing column of three cleaning steps" - TIB - 2001Diploma of merit for "Technology of indissolubility of galvanic residues" at TIB - 2002Diplomaof merit for "Equipmentto cleanthe emissionsof dustsandpollutantgas"at TIB- 2004Diploma of merit for "Complex cleaning system of atmospheric emissions" at TIB - 2003Diploma of merit for "Foam humid filter" at CONRO - 2002.-

Medals:22

Gold medals (overall number and specification of maximum 3 most significant inventions): 11

Installation for the local capture and retention of lead aerosols and hydrochloric acid vaporsat the manufacture of vehicle radiators - BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2002;

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Frame shears protection device, Gold medal at the International Salon of Inventions - BRUSSELS..!.EUREKA, 2001;Adjustabledevicefor noxiousagentcapture- Iasi - ECOINVENT2005;Adjustable device for noxious agent capture - Moscova, 2005;Adjustable device for noxious agent capture - Sevastopol, 2005;Two-step filtering mechanical filter - Sevastopol, 2005;Absorption and neutralization column of nitrogen oxide emissions - BBC Tomorrow'sInternational Fair, London, 2000;Technology for galvanic residues indissolubility- International Salon of Inventions, Geneve,2001;Foam humid filter - International Saloon for Innovations, Research and New Technologies -BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2001;Encapsulating composition of wastes with toxic metal contents - International Salon forInnovations, Research and New Technologies - BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2002;Complex system for neutralizing atmospheric emissions - International Salon for Innovations,Research and New Technologies - BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2003;

Silver medals (overall number and specification of maximum 3 most significant inventions): 6

Group of INCDPM inventions - Industrial Ventilation Laboratory "Two-step filtering mechanicalfilter, Installation for the local capture and retention of lead aerosols and hydrochloric acid vaporsat the manufacture of vehicle radiators; Adjustable device for noxious agent capture; Installation fornoxiousagentcaptureat the electricweldingwith C02andplasmajet" - Iasi,ECOINVENT2005;Manufacture process of hydrophobic and fireproofed leathers, International Salon for Innovations,ResearchandNewTechnologies- BRUSSELS-EUREKA,2003;Absorbent materials with large specific surface, International Salon of Inventions, Geneve, 2002;Filter for cleaning of volatile hydrocarbon emissions - International Salon of InventionsBRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2001;Inorganic polymers oflarge specific surface -International Salon of Inventions, Geneve, 2002;Adsorbing materials of high absorption capacity - International Salon of Inventions - BRUSSELS-EUREKA, 2003.

Bronze medals (overall number and specification of maximum 3 most significant inventions): 5

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Two-step filtering mechanical filter - BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2002;Manufacture process of hydrophobic and fireproofed leathers, International Salon of Inventions,Geneve,2003;Foam humid filter - International Salon for Innovations, Research and New Technologies -BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2001;Technology for galvanic residues indissolubility - International Salon for Innovations, Researchand New Technologies - BRUSSELS -EUREKA, 2001;

Publications

-Participation in scientific events (international congresses, symposia, seminars, conferences,workshops: 32

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67 papers published in the major publication flow reviews out of which the most quoted 10papers are:

. "Theoretical and Practical Considerations on the Correct Selection of Respiratory PersonalProtective Equipment at Work in Dangerous Substance Environment", The National Conference ofScientific Communications "Prospects.:on the Development of Health and Safety at Work", Dipl.Eng. Emilia Dobrescu, Sibiu, 2003;

. "The Design, Manufacture and Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Potential ExplosiveAtmospheres- Conditions and Responsibilitieson ConformityAssessmentAs Provided in theEuropean Legislation and the Romanian Harmonized Legislation", International Seminar "Sesam",2003, Petrosani;

. "Individual Protection Against Fall From Heights", Dipl. Eng. Marta-Tatiana Ionita, Dipl. Eng.Emilia Dobrescu, Dipl. Eng. Poruschi Florentina, Iasi Symposium, 2004;

. "Technical Solutions To Prevent the Risks of Exposure to Dangerous Substances", Dipl. Eng.Steluta Nisipeanu, Ph D, The National Conference on "The Prevention of Risks Related to theExposure to Dangerous Substances", Bucharest, 2003;

. Methodological Guide for the Prevention of Risks Related to the Exposure to Chemical Agents,Dipl. Eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, Ph D, Dipl. Eng; Raluca Stepa, The National Conference on "ThePrevention of Risks Related to the Exposure to Dangerous Substances", Bucharest, 2003;

. Good Practices of Prevention Against the Exposure to Chemical Agents in Constructions, TAIEXConference "Prevention of Occupational Risks in Constructions", Dipl. Eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, PhD, Bucharest, 2004;

. Guide of Classification on Personal Protective Equipment Certification Categories, Dipl. Eng.Emilia Dobrescu, Bucharest, 2004;

. "Occupational Risk Identification and Control at the Use of Videotenninals", Practical Guide,Psychologist Aurelia Mihaela Seracin, Dipl. Eng. Viorica Petreanu, Dr. Ileana Grigoriu, Bucharest,2003;

. "Building Up of the National Network of Informing and Information Dissemination on Health andSafety at Work", Sociologist Mihaela Tripcovici, Seminar on "SMEs Health Policies - PromotingHealth at the Workplaces in Candidate Countries and EU Member States", Sibiu, 2004;

. "The Significance of Fuel Quality Specifications for Health and Environmental Protection", Dipl.Eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, Ph D, Dipl. Eng. Raluca Stepa, Dipl. Eng. Mihaela Stoica, Ph D,Symposium on the Monitorization of Gasoline and Gas-Oil Quality, Bucharest, May 2006.

42 works published in the volumes of international scientific conferences with reviewersout of which the following are mentioned:"Work Accident Risks and Preventive Measures at Wood Final Processing", Dipl. Eng. NazaricaTanase, Dipl. Eng. Marian Eremia, Nice, France, 2006;"Noise Control in Electric Steelworks", Dipl. Eng. Mihai Costescu, Ph D, International Congress ofAcoustics, Lisbon, Portugal, 2005;"Analysis and Assessment of Mental Workload in Dispatchers' Activity within the EnergeticField", Psychologist Aurelia Mihaela Seracin, Psychologist Raluca Iordache, The 9th EuropeanCongress of Psychology, Granada, Spain, 2005;''New Design Concepts of Protective Clothing", Dipl. Eng. Florentina Poruschi, The 5thInternational Conference on Textiles, Istambul, Turkey, 2005;

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. "Ongoing Improvement on OSH Performance by the Implementation of OSH ManagementSystems. Romanian Enterprises Examples", Dip!. Eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, Ph D, World Conference"Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion", Vienna, Austria, June 2004;

. "Methodological Guide for the Prevention of Risks Related to the Exposure to Chemicals", Dip!.Eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, Ph D, Dip!. Eng. Raluca Stepa, International Symposium - ImplementationInstruments of European Directives on Occupational Risks. Chemical Risk Example, Athens,Greece, May, 2003;

. "Opportunities of Implementing OSH Management Systems in Romania", Dip!. Eng. StelutaNisipeanu, Ph D, World Congress 6th- Work Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation,Rome, Italy, 2004;

. "Psycho-physiological Parameters as Indicators for Mental Workload Assessment in ComputerizedActivities (VDU Work)", Psychologist Aurelia Mihaela Seracin, Dr. Ileana Grigoriu, The 4thConference on Psycho-physiology in Ergonomics - PIE 2002 and the 30thAnnual Conference onPsycho-physiology in Ergonomics of the British Society of Psycho-physiology, Glasgow, UK,2002;

. "Aspects on the Implementation of OSH Management Systems and Conformity Assessment inRomania", The 15thCongress on OSH, Vienna, 2002;

. "Design, Manufacture and Utilization of Personal Protective Equipment in Environments ofPotential Explosive Atmosphere. Conditions and Responsibilities on Conformity Assessment asProvided by the European and the Romanian Harmonized Legislation", International Seminar"Sesam", 2003, Petrosani;

· "Model of Integrated Management System in the Biggest Hydro-construction Enterprise ofRomania", Symposium on the Management of Resources and Innovative Processes in theConstruction Industry, Mantova, Italy, 2003.

Scientific books edited in recognized publishing houses in the country (book title, publishinghouse name, main author):Occupational Health and Safety - DEX, Dip!. Eng. Stefan Pece, Ph D, Economist AureliaDascalescu, GENICOD Publishing House, Bucharest, 2001, ISBN 973-85391-2-9;Neutralization Methods and Installations of Acid Atmospheric Pollutants - Dip!. Eng. StelutaNisipeanu, Ph D, LIBRA Publishing House, Bucharest, 2001, ISBN 973-99914-3-2;OSH Management - Prof. Univ. Dip!. Eng. Alexandrn Darabont, Ph D, Dip!. Eng. Stefan Pece, PhD, AGIR Publishing House, Bucharest, 2001, ISBN 973-8160-54-9;Implementation of OSH Management - Dip!. Eng. Steluta Nisipeanu, Ph D, Dip!. Eng. RalucaStepa, LIBRA Publishing House, Bucharest, 2003, ISBN 973-8327-54-7;OSH Auditing - Dip!. Eng. Dorn Darabont, Ph D, VIROM Publishing House, Constanta, 2005,ISBN 973-7995-02-9;Risk Assessment of Man - Machine System - Dip!. Eng. Stefan Pece, Ph D, ATLAS PRESSPublishing House, Bucharest, 2003, ISBN 973-861-92-5-4.

Scientific books edited in recognized publishing houses from abroad (book title, publishing housename, main author):Air Conditioning and Ventilation Plants - Dip!. Eng. Victor Voicu, Ph D, Technical PublishingHouse, Bucharest, 2001, ISBN 973-31-1300;Fight Against Noxious Agents in Industry - Dip!. Eng. Victor Voicu, Ph D, Technical PublishingHouse, Bucharest, 2003, ISBN 973-31-2130-4;

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Organization of international and domestic scientific manifestations - Since 2003, INCDPM hasbeen the promoter and organizer of the national conferences within the European Week on Health andSafety at Work, the most prestigious annual event in the OSH area:. The National Conference on "Achievements and Prospects of OSH Scientific Research",

Bucharest, 2001; .:.

. The National Conference on "Prevention of Risks Related to the Occupational Exposure toDangerous Substances", Bucharest, 27th October, 2003. Conference's communications may beaccessed at: http://substantepericuloase.protectiamuncii .ro;

. The National Conference on "Occupational Risk Prevention in the Construction Sector", Bucharest,4th November, 2004. Conference's communications may be accessed at:http)lconstructii.protectiamunciLro:

. The National Conference on "Prevention of Risks Related to Occupational Exposure to Noise",Bucharest, 22nd November, 2005. Conference's communications may be accessed at:hnp:/ /zgomot. protectiamuncii.ro:

. In 2006, 3 seminars are planned to be held e.g. Bucharest, 27th June, 2006, Constanta, 20thSeptember, 2006 and Brasov, 6th October, 2006 on OSH promotionin SMEsand the NationalConferencewithinthe traditionalEuropeanWeekin Octoberat Bucharest.

Significant result participation at fairs and exhibitionsresults obtained at international fairs and exhibitions (result obtained, event name, edition, town,country, year). 1 Gold medal and Mention at the International Salon ofInventions - London, June, 2000;

. 1 Silver medal and Diploma at the 2nd Olympiad of Inventions -GENIUS, 2000, Budapest, May,2000;

. 4 Gold medals and 2 bronze medals at the International Salon for Innovations, Research and NewTechnologies - BRUSSELS - EUREKA, 2000, 2001, 2002;

. 2 Gold medals and 2 silver medals at the International Salon of Inventions and Innovations -

Brussels and Geneve, 2003;. 1 Bronze medal at the International Salon of Inventions - Geneve, May, 2003, "Manufacture

process of hydrophobic and fireproofed leathers" patent;· 2 Gold medals at the International Salon ofInventions and Innovations - Sevastopol, 2005;· 1 Gold medal at the International Salon of Inventions and Innovations - Moscow, 2005;

Results obtained at domestic fairs and exhibitions (result obtained, event name, edition, town, year). 1 Gold medal and 1 silver medal at the International Salon of Inventions, Research and

Technological Transfer - ECOINVENT, 2005 - Iasi;. Special Prize awardedby OSIM (State Office for Inventions and Trademarks) for ''Two-step

- filteringmechanicalfilter"-ECOINVENT, 2005, lasi.

International and national affiliations at various bodies, occupational associations, forums, etc.International Association for Social Security (AISS)EuropeanAgencyfor SafetyandHealthat Work(EASHW)- National Focal PointWorld Labor Organization (WLO) - CIS ServiceThe National Forum for Promoting Health and Safety at WorkThe Psychologists' Associations of Romania .

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The French Ergonomics Society of French Language (SELF)The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) - Technical Group - Psycho-physiologymErgonomics (PIE)The National Society of Occupational MedicineThe Electromagnetic Compatibility Association of RomaniaRomanian Association of Pure and Applied BiophysicsRomanian Society of AcousticsEuropean Society of AcousticsRomanian Society for Atmosphere Protection

Successful Story

Capture Plant of Hydrochloric Acid Vapors at MECHEL Wire Pickling Baths - Campia TurziiAt MECHEL Campia Turzii Enterprise, the pickling baths constituted a major pollution risk for theworking environment and the environment because of the high acid vapor releases e.g. hydrochloricacid, sulfuric acid from the pickling process of wire and other metal products. To solve these problems,the above enterprise requested the support of INCDPM specialists i.e. the Industrial VentilationLaboratory.The solution adopted by the laboratory team lead by Dipl. Eng. Victor Voicu, Ph D, resided inproviding intake slits mounted in the immediate proximity of the acid vapor release points throughwhich vapors are entirely captured after passing through a cleaning station. Then the air is exhausted inclean state thus preventing environmental pollution and the corrosion of the neighboring buildings.

Result:

"Within 1 year and 5 months since the putting into service of the ventilation plant from thehydrochloric acid static pickling, the employees' general health condition and working capacityas reflected by the increase in activity efficiency as well as the satisfaction manifested by thepersonnel cannot be compared but with the green of the trees grown in an area that was sodistressing not long time before. This situation reflects the success thus justifying the investmentmade. This is a matter of company policy to include the employees' health and the environmentalprotection as priorities, in fact investments for the future!" -Mircea Pitic, Head of the Labor andEnvironmental Control Department, at the National Conference on the "Prevention of Risks Related tothe Occupational Exposure to Dangerous Substances", Bucharest, October, 2003.

Technology of Treating Heavy Metal Content Residues from the galvanic covering processes at SCAKERYARDSTulcea .

At Aker Yards Tulcea (the former shipyard), tons of residues with heavy metal (Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn,Pb) content of high risk in terms of employees' health and environment have been gatheredduring the years. The Norwegian Company that took over the enterprise leadership, initiatedtheir treatment and elimination thus anticipating the harmonization of the Romanianenvironmental regulations with the Community ones. The project proposed in 2001 by theChemical Risk Laboratory of INCDPM won the confidence of the company's management andgot the agreement of the local environmental authority.

Result:

The project envisaged the neutralization of the residues from galvanization but when establishing thefinal recipe there have been also included some other residues of the enterprise besides various

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reagents: sandblast cleaning residues (grit) and oxyacetylene welding residues (sludge). Consequently,a decrease in the costs of treating the residues from galvanization and in the cost of eliminating theother residues e.g. grit and sludge occurred. We have solved three problems instead of one at a timeand we are proud for offering the opportunities of achieving worldwide acknowledged technicalsolutions through this research. The research performed by the Chemical Risk Laboratory of INCDPMgot an internationalrecognitionLe.gold metal at the InternationalSaloonof Inventions- EUREKA-Brussels, 2002. .The patent granted in 2005 validated the efforts of the research team. All these facts consolidated thepartnership between Aker Yards Tulcea and INCDPM in developing both the policies of our companyin terms of prevention and environmental pollution and the creation of the well being state at theworkplace. Dipl. Eng. Rodica Simion, Head of the Environmental Dept. of AKER YARDS Tulcea.

Mrs. MARIA PURCHEREAResponsible for CIS activitiesNational Institute of Research-Developmenton Labor Protection "Alexandru Darabont"Head of Office of Documentation, Editing, Dissemination of Information,Public Relations and Mass-mediaStr. G-ral Budisteanu nr. 15Sector 1, BucurestiROMANIATel.: +4021.313.17.20Fax: +4021.315.78.22Cis inpm(a)mc.roPurchereamaria@hotmail.com

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