Iranian Journal of Ergonomics
Year:2014 | Volume:2 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Nowadays, a lot of activities requiring the use of cell phones and exposing to their radiation. Given the importance of the issue and raised doubts about its effects, the aim of this study was to evaluate the electromagnetic fields of common cell phones and the correlations of the measured quantities with some health symptoms of users.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 students and staff of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. To measure the electric and magnetic fields as well as the power density of cell phones, Electrosmog Meter TES-593 was used. Meanwhile, some health symptoms of the users were recorded via a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chi-square and T-tests.Results: In all studied cell phones, the measured quantities (i.e. the intensities of electric and magnetic fields and power density) were highest in conversation mode. There were significant differences in mean power densities of the cell phones during conversation (P=0.001). There was significant correlation between the mean magnetic field intensity of the cell phones during conversation and headache (P=0.02) and anxiety (P=0.03) as well as between mean power density in the similar conditions and sleep deprivation (P=0.002).Conclusion: Although this study suggests a link between some self-reported symptoms and the intensities of electromagnetic fields of cell phones in line with other similar studies, the symptoms cannot be absolutely attributed to the use of the cell phones; Therefore, It is recommended to consider all aspects of caution including the reduction in exposing to cell phones radiation and selecting safer cell phones to prevent possible complications.

Introduction: Given the essential role of appropriate benches and desks in the correct siting posture of students and the consequences of non-ergonomic seats in causing awkward postures, low back pain, neck pain, lack of concentration and discomfort, this study was aimed to examine the match between students’ anthropometric dimensions and the dimensions of existing benches and desks in Hamadan male primary schools.Materials and Methods: In this study, 600 students of Hamadan male primary schools were studied. In addition to height and weight, their anthropometric dimensions including shoulder height, elbow height, knee height, popliteal height, popliteal - buttock length and hip breadth were measured. Then, the comparison was made between the dimensions of existing benches and desks in Hamadan schools and the ergonomic dimensions.Results: The results showed that the dimensions of two existing benches and desks do not match with students anthropometric dimensions. For benches and desks with common seat pans, the seat height, seat depth, seat width, back rest height, desk height, underneath desk height were not matched with 89.5, 76.5, 88.5, 62, 57, and 64 percent of students, respectively; while in benches and desks with separated seats, the dimensions were not appropriate for 61.5, 58.5, 58, 73.5, 76.5, and 60.5 percent of students, respectively.Conclusion: Both kinds of existing furniture in the Hamadan primary schools were not appropriate for students. Seat depths and heights of benches with separated seats were relatively better than of those with common seats.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are of main problems in occupational settings. Quality of life is a multidimensional concept that includes the ability of performance, health, and mental status influenced by several important factors such as psychophysical status, personal attitudes, and social relationships. This study was aimed to explore the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity, and quality of life for workers in an auto parts manufacturing industry.Materials and Methods: In this study, from 453 workers in an auto part manufacturing industry, 140 workers were sampled as subjects for the study. Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to determine musculoskeletal disorders. Quality of life was assessed by quality of life questionnaire (SF 36) and physical activity was determined through physical activity questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test using SPSS software (Version 16).Result: The results showed that there were significant correlations among physical performance, activity limitation due to physical problems, bodily pain, vitality, public health and fatigue with musculoskeletal disorders (P< 0.05). Significant correlations were also found between regular physical activity and decrease in musculoskeletal disorders, as well as between regular physical activity and increase in quality of life (P< 0.05).Conclusion: Physical activity (exercise) increases worker fitness and reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and consequently increases the quality of life.

Background: Adverse events are injuries and problems are derived from management than the original condition. In particular, Intensive care units are as a place of significant human errors and preventable adverse events in the health care system. The present study was conducted to identify and evaluate human errors among cardiac intensive care nurses in a teaching hospital in Hamadan city.Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using the cream technique. in this study nursing job were analyzed using hierarchical task analysis. Then the work sheet of cream techniques completed through observation and interviews with the nurses. Data analysis was performed using spss-16 software.Results: Findings show that the maximum probability of error are in setting tasks and use DC shock in urgent cases, data recording in the hospital system, said start code resuscitation of heart and lung (CPR) respectively 0.02108, 0.02088 and 0.02086. Minimum probability of error were Determine nutritional needs and diet, gavages and necessary care and giving oral medications respectively 0.01100, 0.01013 and 0.00966.Conclusions: The most important suggestion to improve of working situation and reducing of human error probability are modification of nurses shift work, providing of practical training and decrease of additional duties.

Background: Psychosocial factors are present in most workplaces that could affect various aspects of workers’ health. Accordingly, psychosocial risks may lead to work related musculoskeletal disorders, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, effect on quality of working life, sickness absence, depression work injuries and accidents and various health problems. The aim of the present study was to assess work psychosocial problems and their association with non-fatal occupational accidents among Aghmary workers of Iranian drilling rigs.Methods: A cross-sectional study using the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) was carried out on a total sample of 270 employees working on Aghmary system in drilling rigs. History of non-fatal occupational accidents was assessed by self-report during one year prior to the study. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 16.0.Results: The results showed that high work pace (OR=1.55), high emotional demands (OR=1.62), high influence at work (OR=1.5), low quality of leadership (OR=1.8), low social support (OR=1.87), high burnout (OR=1.72) and high threat of violence (OR=6.2) were significantly related to non-fatal occupational accident.Conclusions: This study revealed the significant association between occupational accident and some psychosocial dimensions and recommended the incorporation of psychosocial factors in preventive measures.

Background: Shift work is one of the inevitable consequences of technology in which in the recent years numerous studies have been done about its effect on health. Somatic, psychological and social disturbances are among the problems that are seen more in people with shift work than other people. The current study aims to determine the prevalence of these disturbances in one of the LPG and gas refinery complex, oil companies.Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was carried out at 180 shift-work people as case group and 90 day-work people as control group at the security section of the oil refinery company. Data of shift workers were collected with Survey of Shift workers (SOS) questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions on demographic characteristics and health problems associated with shift work. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Ver.19 at a significance level of 5%.Results: The mean (SD) of shift working and day-work workers were estimated to be 41±4.8 and 39±4.1 years, respectively. The results showed that health problems shift-workers were more prevalent than day-work workers. The differences were significant in gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and fatigue (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the result of this study, shift work can be a risk factor for the incidence of somatic and psychological disturbances. Initiatives should be implemented to prevent these complications in shift workers.

Introduction: The development of the industry has led to an increased incidence of muscle-skeletal disorders. The disorders increased caused by factors such as type of job, repetition of work, intensity and duration of the work. Food industries, including industries that are doing the type of job that involves repetitive movements, this study examined was conducted the role of stress and other psychosocial factors on musculoskeletal disorders.Methods: The present cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in different organs and factors affecting food production was one of the workers. According to a random sample of 215 workers were studied with an average age of 39 years. To evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was used of the Nordic questionnaire, also for of occupational stress was used OSIPOW questionnaire; the data obtained are analyzed by SPSS 16 software and processing of data with the descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test.Results: The results showed that the study population in the past 12 months the most common symptoms of lower back 69.8%. We were founded between stress and musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck, shoulder, wrist, upper back, a significant relationship (P<0.05). We were founded between smoking and low back pain (P <0.05), shoulder pain (P =0.023), leg pain (P=0.008) statistical test significant. As well as we were found between the average working hours per day and work experience, with musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, and BMI also a significant relationship.Conclusions: The results obtained in this study shows that job stress, work experience, BMI, the number of working hours and fatigue is considered a risk factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder.

Background & Objectives: Shiftwork is a social phenomenon that can have adverse effects on human life. Given the importance of the shiftwork system and caused by the related health problems, the present study was conducted to determine the health status of and shift workers in a hospital.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the hospitals in Razan (Iran). The sample size consisted of 120 medical, administration and service staff. The SOS questionnaire was used for data collection. The data analysis was performed in SPSS software by X2.Results: The results showed that 98.3% of complaints were about personal, social and familial problems, and 84.9% were related to musculoskeletal disorders. Satisfaction of rotating shift work and shift work voluntarily chosen variables, the rotation of the shift, shift work and adverse effects on personal life, adverse effects on family life revealed a significant relationship (P<0.05). Instead, insomnia common variables, adverse effects on social life and social problems showed no significant relationship.