Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
A survey of Job Stress and Productivity among Kurdistan Gas Firm’s Staff
1
10
FA
H.A
Hasanzadeh
Hasanzadeh.kh@gmail.com
Y
N
Shirbeigi
N
H
Olazadeh
N
Background and aims : The study was human – oriented and means of overall development. Human force is the main factor for organization to go on, succeed and achieve goals. In line with this, work environment and organizational health are two key factors to decrease stress and increase productivity in the work environment. The purpose of this study was to determine amount of productivity and job stress between staff of gas firm in Kurdistan province. Methods: The method was descriptive and the sample included all staff (n = 285). Data collection instrument was Stress Questionnaire by Steinmetz et al. and Productivity Questionnaire by Saatchi. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: There is a significant relationship between job stress and gender, marital status, employed status and city of workplace. However, there was no significant relationship between job stress and educational status, age and work duration. Moreover, there was significant relationship between productivity and educational status and city of workplace. But, there was no significant relationship between productivity and gender, marital status, age and work duration. The mean job stress and productivity were 118.26 and 66.88 respectively. Conclusion: Job stress adversely affects the productivity in the work environment. Identifying stress factors and implementing strategies to decrease stress are key points to this end.
Stress, Productivity, Gas Company
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-855-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-855-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Investigating the Concentration and types of Asbestos Fibers using PCM and SEM in a Cement- Asbestos Industry
11
17
FA
H
Marioryad
N
H
Kakooei
kakooei@gmail.com
Y
Background and aims : Asbestos minerals are divided into two main groups including serpentine and amphiboles and each has one or more subgroups. These minerals have been used in industrial products such as cement-asbestos sheet and pipe, brake shoe, clutch and insulation materials. Occupational and non - occupational exposures by this carcinogenic material have caused to develop several methods to evaluate airborne asbestos fibers. But in this way, NIOSH 7400 as the conventional method has some shortages that confirm necessity of studying of other microscopic methods in asbestos fibers evaluation. Methods: In this study, 90 samples from different points of a cement- asbestos industry in Tehran (IRAN) have been collected on MCE filters. According to NIOSH 7400, half of each filter was prepared and then fiber counting was accomplished by phase contrast microscopy. The other part of filters were used for identification of asbestos fibers types by scanning electron microscopy. Results : According to NIOSH 7400, fibers concentration range were determined 0.02 – 0.44 . The maximum concentration of airborne asbestos was 0.37±0.05 that was related to recycling process. Study of elemental composition of fibers by scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the type of fibers was chrysotile. Conclusion: More than 50 percent of collected samples in this industry have concentrations above occupational exposure limits that may increase asbestos related diseases in the future. The preventive approaches in occupational health studies necessitate that in order to evaluate airborne asbestos fibers, the occupational hygienists need to be access to several methods. Therefore development of other microscopic methods such as scanning electron microscopy besides NIOSH 7400, must be considered.
Asbestos Fibers, Cement – Asbestos industry, Phase contrast microscopy, Scanning electron microscopy
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-846-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-846-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
The Risk Assessment of Related Factors of Hand Activities in Automotive Industry
18
26
FA
R
yarahmadi
r-yarahmadi@tums.ac.ir
Y
M
Jalali
N
Background and aims: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the most prevalence problems of working populations in many developing countries and specifically in Iran. One of the most important disorders is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which has been reported in many industries, especially in workers of automotive companies. The aim of this study is the risk assessment of related factors of hand activity and combined effect of risk factors in occurring upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs). In order to evaluate risk assessment the threshold of hand activity level technique (HAL_TLV) is used. Methods: The sectional descriptive-analytical method was used in this study. In this method 44 workman in the impulse and hydraulic press salons of automotive company was selected randomly, in addition sampling was carried out by censuses report. Data was collected through checklists of hand activity level (HAL) and normalized peak force (NPF) and also site observation. The results of combination of these variables were put in HAL_TLV graph, in order to evaluate the risk level of mentioned tasks. Data analyzing was done using SPSS18. Results: The Results shows that 31.25% (5 workman) was at risk level A (low risk) and 73.3% (11 workman) was at risk level B (moderate risk) in the impulse press salon and in the hydraulic press salon 3.57%(1 workman) and 96.4% (27 workman) of each group was at risk level A (low risk) and risk level C (high risk), respectively .The analysis of results indicates that there are reverse significant relationship between HAL and NPF in the salon of impulse press (p<0.014,r=0.881). Moreover the same result was obtained for two workman groups of the hydraulic press salon, as r=0.881, p<0.001 for group 1 and r=0.68, p<0.004 for group 2. Conclusion : The ergonomic risk assessment of hydraulic and impulse press salons shows hydraulic press compare to impulse press has the highest risk as level C (high risk) which may caused by excessive force with rapid and repetitive movements at this salon. Therefore it can be said, in occupations that workers must have set excessive force, the risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) especially CTS may decrease via reducing the speed and repetition of movements. Finally the interaction between force, time and movement repetition may prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
Ergonomic Risk Factors, Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders (UEMSDs), HAL-TLV Technique, Hand Activity Level (HAL), Normalized Peak Force (NPF)
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-856-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-856-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Macro Ergonomics Interventions and their Impact on Productivity and Reduction of Musculoskeletal disorders: Including a Case Study
27
39
FA
N
Sadra Abarqhouei
nasersadra@yahoo.com
Y
H
Hosseini Nasab
N
M.B
Fakhrzad
N
Background and aims : The present studies show that the theoretical discussions and the applications of ergonomics have not been seriously handled in our country, Iran. So, the aim of the current study was to present an appropriate method which could help in increasing the productivity and decreasing the risk factors of ergonomics in socio-technical systems. Methods: During the present study, a theoretical model was developed to guide the “ergonomic intervention processes” and its evaluation and application was carried out for an educational organization (EO). The faculty members were selected as the subjects of statistical survey and simple random sampling was performed. The level of musculoskeletal disorders was evaluated in control and treatment groups. Comparative analysis of the obtained data was carried out using fuzzy numbers and their level of confinement. Results: According to the results of present study with the help of ergonomic interventions, an increase in the activity of staff members, increased revenue, expansion of work with the least number of manpower and a decrease in the overall expenses was seen as compared to the base year. In addition, the analysis of questionnaires with fuzzy approach has shown that the level of musculoskeletal disorders in the experimental group was less as compared to that of control group. Conclusion: The results obtained by the use of macro and micro ergonomic interventions (Total ergonomics) have proved that these methods were successful by increasing the innovation and motivation of the staff members to solve the organizational problems as compared to the base year. The decrease of musculoskeletal disorders among the members resulted to an increase of performance in different units of the educational organization.
Macro ergonomics, Micro ergonomics, Productivity, Musculoskeletal disorders, Fuzzy logics
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-854-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-854-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Analytical evaluation of work ability index and its determining factors among workers of a car manufacturing industry
40
49
FA
M
Eyvazlou
N
A
Mazloumi
amazlomi@tums.ac.ir
Y
A.A
Farshad
N
F
Hoseini
N
Background and aims : The ability of work is the basis of well-being for all of us. Many factors affect the work ability such as work and work condition, work organization and human resource. The aim of this study was to assess the work ability among car manufacturing workers and determine the relationship between the work ability index with individual characteristics and life style factors. Methods : The study was a descriptive cross-sectional investigation. The subjects comprised of 271 workers with mean age of 35 years who occupied by a car manufacturing Company. They completed the Work Ability Index Questionnaire during semi interview sessions. The job groups of Painting Shop, assembling line, office department, and technical section were studied. Statistical tests including one-way ANOVA, t-test, Kruskal wallis were used for analyzing the relationship between work ability index and individual characteristic as well as life style factors. To test the distribution of work ability index score categories, a chi-square test was used and finally, Spearman correlation coefficient was used in order to determine correlation between the final of work ability index score with any of questionnaire items. Results : The mean value of work ability index in this study was (37.67) with SD=5.87. The WAI categories were 17.71% in "excellent", 38.75% in "good", 36.16% in "moderate", and 7.4% in "poor" levels. Association between life style factors (obesity, smoking, exercise) and WAI was statistically significant (P< .0.001 ). Lower WAI was associated with increasing the age, high work experience and lower education (P<.0.001). Meanwhile, physical demand of the jobs was strongly associated with the WAI score (P<.0.001). Conclusion : On the basis of Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the value of work ability in current study was in good category(37-43) but, concerning the mean age (35 years) of the studied population the mean value of work ability is not appropriate. Individual characteristics, such as age and life style, are most effective factors on work abilities of the employees. Therefore, preventive programs relating to the work conditions as well as life style should be considered for improving the work ability. Some of these actions are establishing effective ergonomics evaluation and intervention programs, decreasing smoking rate, proposing appropriate diets to maintain ideal weight and functional capacity of the workers.
Work Ability, Work Ability Index, Individual characteristics, life style factors
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-857-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-857-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Effect of health education based on BASNEF pattern on use of personal protective respiratory equipment in Ahvaz carbon block factory workers, 2009
50
58
FA
M
Solhi
m-solhi@tums.ac.ir
Y
M
Saki
N
I
Alimohammadi
N
H
Haghani
N
Background and aims: Respiratory diseases due to work with 50 million annually incidence included one third of all occupational diseases and it is one of the main causes of absenteeism from work in workers. Some occupational diseases can be prevented with personal protective equipment. BASNEF model is one of the effective health education and safety training models for workers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention based on BASNEF pattern on increasing the use of personal protective respiratory equipment among carbon black factory workers , where many air pollutants such as carbon block exists. Methods: In this study the intervention curriculum based on BASNEF pattern administrated on 100 (experimental and control) Ahvaz carbon block factory workers. Data were collected by questionnaires. The data were analyzed by Independent T, χ square and Pearson correlation co- efficient using SPSS version16. Results : After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, intention, and enabling factors showed significant increase in experimental group in comparison of control group (p<0.00001). In addition, the mean score of subjective norms in experimental and control groups showed no significant differences. Conclusion: The educational program based on BASNEF pattern was effective in improving the use of respiratory personal protective equipment in Ahvaz carbon block factory workers
BASNEF pattern, respiratory protection equipment, education
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-845-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-845-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Ergonomics evaluation of new home stripper using electromyography
59
67
FA
N
Koleini Mamaghani
koleini@iust.ac.ir
Y
A.H
Bakhtiary
N
E
Sevan
N
H
Sadeghi Naiini
N
Background and aims : In our daily lives hand tools are often used in many work situations. With respect to design characteristics, hand tools can be considered a risk factor when a high level of repetition are required or when awkward postures are adopted. Therefore attention to ergonomics design rules for hand tools is the most important factor in design process. With this in mind, the aim of the present study is to evaluate a new model of home stripper which designed based on ergonomics rules. Methods : Ten healthy female subjects participate in this study. Seven tests were considered for each subject. The subject was instructed to strip a cucumber using six commercial models as well as with a new model , separately . The surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from three muscles: biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and flexor digitorum. To make possible the comparison between models in all experiments varied between the subjects, the raw EMG signals was normalized. Results : For biceps brachii muscle, the analysis of variance revealed that there was no significant difference on the mean EMG data among all models, however muscular activity for the new model of stripper was found lower than the other models. The results indicated that the changes among the mean EMG data of models for triceps brachii, and flexor digitorum muscle were found significant. Tukey tests shows that differences between the EMG data for the new model with one commercial model were significant. Conclusion : A new model with commercial models of stripper was tested to evaluate the effects of design characteristics on EMG signals. The results of this study show that muscular activity is mostly related to specific design of hand tools considering form, shape and product design aspects.
Hand tools, electromyography, home stripper, ergonomics
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-853-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-853-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Risk factors for workplace violence in emergency medical technician students
68
75
FA
H
Koohestani
kohestanihamid@arakmu.ac.ir
Y
N
Bdghcheghi
N
K
Rezaii
N
H.R
Ebrahimi fakhar
N
Background and Aims: Workplace violence is increasingly recognized as a problem in the health care system. Emergency medical technician students may be exposed to violent behavior during clinical training. However, no attention has been paid by researchers to this issue. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for workplace Methods: In this descriptive study, 48 Emergency medical technician students were participated with censuses method. Data is collected using a questionnaire that its validity and reliability were tested with content validity and test-retest respectively. Results: In total, 47.91% and 20.08% of the respondents had been verbally abused and physically assaulted during their training program, respectively. Most of physical attacks and verbal abuses were happened by patients’ families. The most common causes of workplace violence were, delay in reaching the scene from the perspective of patients and their caregivers, and lack of knowledge about the role of the Emergency medical technician students. Conclusion: Emergency medical technician students are often exposed to violence during the course of their training programs. This group requires training on how to prevent and respond to workplace violence, and this important topic should be incorporated into their curriculum.
Occupational violence, Risk factors , Emergency medical technician students
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-839-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-839-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Study of Noise Pollution in Urban and the Suburbs Railway
76
82
FA
M
Hamidi
man.hamidi@yahoo.com
Y
A
Kavousi
N
P
Nasiri
N
A
Hamedani
N
S
Kiani
N
H.R
Dehghan
N
Background and aims: Noise pollution is one of the risk factors of the human environment that may seriously threat physical and mental health of human beings. One of the main sources of this type of pollution is the noise produced by urban transportation and traffic, particularly subway in the environment. This article aims at study and evaluation of the noise condition in drivers’ cabin and inside wagons of the subway of Tehran and the suburbs. Methods: Noise level and noise frequency analysis in the trains of lines one, two, four and five of the subway which are among the active lines of Tehran subway and the suburbs have been measured and evaluated at 345 points within one week over two days while the train was moving and stopped of which 96 points were located inside the driver’s cabin and 258 points were in wagons. Noise was evaluated based on Free Air Standard approved by the Environment Higher Council of Iran and ACGIH Organization. The subway trains were also compared regarding noise pollution based on type of the train (TM, DC, AC ). Calibrated analyzer instrument, model CEL-450/490 was used to measure noise and the data were analyzed by statistical descriptive methods, t-test and analysis of variance by SPSS18 software. Results: Mean equivalent noise level measured in the moving wagon was equal to 71.9 dBA that is significantly higher than the standard level (65 dBA) ( P<0.01). In case the mean equivalent noise level measured in the moving cabin is equal to 73.3 dBA, that is significantly less than the standard level (85 dBA) (P<0.01). There is a significant difference between mean noise pressure level in wagon and in driver’s cabin while moving and stoppage (P<0.01). However, there is no significant difference between noise pressure level in the wagon and driver’s cabin while moving (p=0.5). There is no significant difference between the mean noise pressure level while moving and stoppage in different frequencies inside the wagon (p=0.5). However, there is a significant difference between the mean noise pressure level while moving and stoppage in 250 and 500 frequencies in the cabin (P<0.01). TM1 and TM2 trains are in the same class considering mean noise equal level and noise pressure (P=0.667) and AC and DC trains are in the same class (P=0.5) and their mean noise is equal to 69.5 and 73, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained in this research showed that the mean equivalent noise level in the cabins is less than the authorized limit however, it is higher than the authorized limit in the wagon. Therefore, it seems necessary to take control and prevention measures for noise reduction inside wagons.
Noise pollution, urban railway, Tehran
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-852-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-852-en.pdf
Iran University of Medical Sciences
Iran Occupational Health
1735-5133
2228-7493
9
2
2012
11
1
Comfort evaluation of three types of screwdrivers in the Iranian market
83
88
FA
M.A
Mououdi
Mououdi2006@yahoo.com
Y
S.M.H
Taher
N
Background and aims: Nodaways, products have to be used easily and safely. Comfort plays an important role in hand tools and there is a significant relationship between Ergonomic and convenient. Therefore, many hand tool manufacturers implement the fundamentals of Ergonomics in order to produce more convenient instruments. As the screwdriver has been widely used in each society, the goal of this research was to evaluate the screwdriver’s comfort in the Iranian market. methods: Three types of screwdrivers currently existed in the Iranian market and were made in Iran, China, and Japan were used by 22 people at the same conditions and based on the standard manner. 12 screws were screwed both horizontally and vertically for all three types separately during the testing procedure. Afterward, the evaluation of Local Posture Discomfort (LPD) was performed. Results: While 84.36 % of the Iranian type and 13.64 of the Japanese type are accepted as comfortable tools by the operators, nobody considered the Chinese type as a comfortable tool. The average of discomfort at the yielded LPD test was 2.56, 2.71, and 2.73 for Iranian, Japanese, and Chinese type respectively. These results are related to the description of users from comfort. Based on the Fisher test (p<0.05) there was no significant difference in LPD of screwdrivers. Conclusions: According to the tested users, the Iranian Screwdriver with the lower LPD is able to provide more confidence and it is recommended to design this instrument based on more research and Ergonomics criteria.
Screwdrivers, Local Posture Discomfort(LPD)
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-851-en.html
http://ioh.iums.ac.ir/article-1-851-en.pdf