IRAN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH JOURNAL
Year:2017 | Volume:13 | Issue:5 |Papers Count:11

Background and aims: Health care sector has job-related health problems and hazards. Patient handling is a main risk factor of musculoskeletal disorders among Health Care Workers (HCW). The present study aimed to perform ergonomic evaluation of client transfer between bed and stretcher through common way and using mechanical patient transfer aid device. Methods: In this study, parameters of comfort, perceived physical exertion and safety of a patient handling assistive device was measured from users’ and clients’ viewpoints. Thirty seven health care workers of a hospital in Shiraz city who had experience in patient transfer participated in the study. The data were collected using a five point likert scale (1= worse condition and 5= better condition), likert-type scale for rating (Borg scale), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) for user’ s posture analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilcoxon, Fischer and Paired t-test analyses. Results: The mean (SD) of users’ comfort while using the aid device was 4. 48 (0. 50), and the means (SD) of clients’ comfort and safety regarding mechanical transfer method were 4. 21 (0. 47) and 4. 40 (0. 49), respectively. The results revealed a significant reduction in the users’ rating of perceived exertion while doing the job by the device as compared to manual operation (P<0. 001). The results of posture analysis showed that for approximately 90% of the users in manual transfer the REBA score was 4 (very high risk level) whereas REBA score for more than 80% of the users in mechanical handling was 2 indicating medium risk level. Conclusion: According to the findings, using mechanical assistive device increased the users’ and the clients’ comfort, reduced the users’ physical exertion, and improved their working postures. It is believed that using mechanical patient handling aid device may reduce MSDs risk among HCWs.

Background and aims: In nanofibrous filters, morphological properties, diameter of fibers and porosity percent of media are the most filtration characteristics. Therefore, the present study aimed to optimize the electrospinning parameters for reaching to the desired values of the mentioned filter characteristics. Methods: For this purpose, a study design was prepared using response surface methodology (RSM), in which electrospinning factors such as solution concentration, applied voltage and electrospinning distance were considered input variables and the fiber diameter, porosity, bead number and average bead diameter to average fiber diameter (ABD/AFD) ratio were considered the output variables. Morphological features of fibers and porosity of media were done through image processing approach of Scanning Emission Microscopy (SEM) images. Results: Maximum concentration in assessed range can provide the best morphology and also the maximum diameter. The highest correlation coefficient has been seen between fiber diameter and solution concentration (p <0. 05, r=0. 73). Porosity and applied voltage represent the strongest relationship (p >0. 05, r=0. 39). There was the significant relationship between both concentration and electrospinning distance and bead size (r=-1. 6, r=0. 56, respectively). Bead number was decreased specially with increase in concentration. Conclusion: Totally, RSM could well determine the relationship between input and response variables. High regression coefficient in mathematical models indicated the importance of the experimental values. The validation test shown the experimental data are in good agreement with the predicted ones.

Background and aims: Today, to improve workplace safety, more focus is on organizational and managerial factors including the organization climate and in particular the safety climate. Given that safety perception and attitudes of employees toward workplace safety situation is different in an organization; so, for measuring these differences in the various conditions, including different job positions and type of work contract can be used standardized questionnaires. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety climate using Nordic questionnaire in a metal industry. Methods: In this study was used the Nordic NOSACQ-50 questionnaire to measuring safety climate among different employee groups of a metal industry. A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed among employees, the results of safety climate scores obtained by 267 employees were analyzed using SPSS 20. In this study were evaluated the influence of job position, shift work, type of work contracts, job type (clerical and non-clerical) and demographic variables on perception of safety climate. Results: Calculation of the mean safety climate scores showed that the total mean of safety climate was 2. 88. The highest and the lowest score were related to workers’ trust in the efficacy of safety systems (3. 35) and management safety justice (2. 69), respectively. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between age and experience with safety climate. Similarly, there is a significant relationship between the job position and job type with safety climate. But, there was not observed significant relationship between variables such as shift work, education level and type work contract with the safety climate. Conclusion: The results of this study show the importance of evaluating safety climate among the different work groups. Especially managers and employees with more age and experience have a more positive perception of the safety of their workplace safety. Workplace stressors may also have a negative impact on the safety climate.

Background and aims: One of the reasons of electric shocks is failure to provide efficient training to the individual. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of practical and lecture training methods on skill and ability of electrical technicians in recognizing and control electrical hazards by TIER model. Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental (before and after type). First stage, training need assessment was conducted using DACUM model, being immediately followed by the pilot test results a sample of 61 workers of Steam Generator and 61 workers of Electric Generator were randomly selected. In second stage, two performance tests performed separately one month before and after treatment sessions then the validity and reliability of tests were calculated. Then selected intervention methods, ‘ Hands-on Practice’ method for vapor generator personnel and ‘ Classroom’ method for generator personnel, were assigned to the treatment groups within three sessions separately. Results: After education, scores of skill and ability in steam generator staff were 13. 10, 15. 27 and in generators staff group were 7. 24, 11. 81. And ability and skills scores in both groups showed significant differences (p< 0. 001). Conclusion: Hands-on practice” was more effective than “ lecture method” to increase firstaid skills and electrical hazard recognition abilities.

Background and aims: Musculoskeletal disorders are increasing all over the world in the last decades. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limbs in order to achieve perfect results with high statistical power using metaanalysis. Methods: In a systematic review and meta-analysis work-related musculoskeletal disorders data were investigated. Some keywords were searched through accessible databases including SID, Magiran, Google Scholar, Medlib, IranMedex, and PubMed. In general, 27 articles published from 2001 to 2010 were gathered. 12 indices were used to evaluate heterogeneity of articles and ultimate data were analyzed using random effects models. Results: The total sample size of all studies performed in Iran was 6090 patients with a mean of 225 samples per study. Musculoskeletal disorders were studied at various jobs with confidence level (CL) 95%: lower back 50% (42. 5– 57. 5), hips and thighs 20. 7% (16. 4-25), knees 42. 1% (35. 1– 49. 1) and Ankles and feet 27. 7% (18. 8– 36. 7), respectively. Conclusion: Work related musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limbs, especially in lower back and knees were more than other limbs in Iran compared to similar studies in other countries. Occupational health and ergonomics training on prevention of these disorders, especially for these limbs among Iranian workers is recommended.

Background and aims: Noise is one of the troubles in industrial world and numerous people are affected by it. Sleep disturbance is a harmful effect of exposure to noise. High quality of sleep is an important factor in health and well-being so its decline can threaten persons’ health and even their safety. The current study was conducted to assess the relationship between exposure to noise and quality of sleep among workers in an industry. Methods: 86 workers from an industrial company participated in this descriptive and casecontrol study. Interference variables were recognized by a designed questionnaire. Moreover, an advanced sound level meter (CEL-450) and Pittsburgh standard questionnaire were used to measure the noise level and the quality of sleep. Results: The average of exposure to noise was 83. 31± 2. 36 and 56. 91± 5. 12 dB and the results of sleep quality scores were 6. 19 and 3. 81 in experimental and control group respectively. The statistical test showed that there was a significant difference between experimental and control group in their sleep quality (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Our findings illustrated that occupational noise is the important factor in sleep disturbance among the exposed people. Due to the effect of sleep quality on people´ s performance and their mental health, it´ s essential to pay more attention to this issue.

Background and aims: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries in nursing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of education of occupational safety on knowledge and improvement of employee performance during moving patients in intensive care units of hospitals. Methods: This study is an educational trial and was accomplished in Amiralmomenin and Vali-e-Asr educational hospitals in Arak. 60 subjects (nurses, health workers and services) were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. In both groups, the rates of musculoskeletal disorders are assessed. Then intervention group was trained for safety instructions during moving patients, but the control group was not. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20. Results: Results showed that before intervention, both groups based on demographic characteristics and musculoskeletal disorders did not have significant different (P> 0. 05). In intervention group a significant difference between knowledge level of before (12. 73± 6. 61) and after the intervention (88± 19. 27) was seen (P <0. 05). Results in control group showed no significant difference before (12. 73 ± 11. 6) and after (12. 53 ± 12. 37) the intervention (P> 0. 05). Conclusion: The results showed that increasing the knowledge level of nurses and health workers about correct transportation of patients in intensive care units have had a surprisingly effectiveness on their knowledge levels and performances.

Background and aims: Development of new air pollution control techniques have always been the main concern of the researchers. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of using acoustic fields at high sound pressure levels on the removal of sulfuric acid mist from the air stream. Methods: In this experimental study, an experimental scale agglomeration chamber was used. This study was conducted using standing waves at a total flow rate of 40 l/min, resonance frequency of 852 Hz, concentration of sulfuric acid mist in the range of 5-30 ppm, and sound pressure level (SPL) in the range of 115-165 dB. In order to measure the concentration of sulfuric acid mist in the acoustic agglomeration chamber, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard method 8 was used for sampling air isokinetically. The data were analyzed with SPSS 22 for Windows. Results: The results showed that the removal efficiency of sulfuric acid mist in the acoustic agglomeration chamber significantly increased with increasing sound pressure level (P=0. 001). The average efficiencies at 115, 135, 155, and 165 dB SPL were 22. 75, 42. 54, 64. 27, and 78. 69 percent, respectively. The results of statistical test did not show any significant differences in the removal efficiency of sulfuric acid mist in the acoustic agglomeration chamber at different input concentration ranges (P=0. 985). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that acoustic fields have effects on agglomeration of sulfuric acid mists. It seems that the approach is appropriate for removing mists and reducing the level of emissions of contaminants into the environment.

Background and aims: Occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are major cause of disability and loss of productivity in developed countries. One of the risk factors of these abnormalities is overweight; therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative musculoskeletal disorders of workers and its relationship with the body mass index (BMI). Methods: The industry had 1, 473 staffs of which 520 individuals with at least one year of experience were randomly selected from different units and shifts in this cross-sectional study. After receiving full consent they responded to NORDIC and LPD questionnaires. For validity and reliability of questionnaires Chronbach’ s alpha was used. Ultimately, to determine the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and with body mass index Chi-square, regression and correlation tests were performed using SPSS version 19. In this study, l0. 05 was considered as leve of significance. Results: This study showed there was no slim participants regarding BMI index, though 32% were normal, 41% overweight and 27% were obese. Between lower and upper limb, knee, shoulder, hip and hand, also in elbow and ankle organs were significant relationship and and association between BMI and musculoskeletal disorders in the upper limbs and lower back, knee, shoulder and hip were also significant. Conclusion: Since the musculoskeletal disorders increase with the increase of age, experience, daily working hours and second jobs. For obviation these disorders and discomforts proper diet regime is recommended along with ergonomics training for workers. Also, we suggest further research in this base using Localized Postural Discomfort questionnaire.

Background and aims: TOPSIS as a method in Multi criteria decision making (MCDM) helps decision maker(s) to organize and analyze problems, and to rank alternatives. In this paper, the ergonomic risks factors which may influence health are addressed in a manufacturing company in 2014. Then TOPSIS method is applied to select the different halls that are prioritized in terms of action level and ergonomic conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done as a descriptive-analytic procedure. It considers conditions in seven halls and 13 tasks were included. Required Information gathered by the demographic questionnaire and ART method for repetitive task assessment. Also TOPSIS as a suitable multi criteria decision making instrument was used to prioritization of company halls. SPSS V20 is used to compute the variables. Results: The total exposure score based on the ART method equals to 30. 07± 12. 43 were calculated. Data analysis from ART illustrated that 179 cases (74. 6% of tasks) were in the high level of risk area and 13. 8% were in the medium level of risk. ART-TOPSIS results revealed that Leher hall has been placed in the top lists of action level and degradation hall in the end of this list. Conclusion: obtained results showed that the TOPSIS method can be used to ergonomic and human factor engineering challenges successfully. It seems that, macro and micro ergonomic solution presentation besides employee's collaboration, based on the scientific decision-making procedures (with employer's cooperation motivation), can leads to effectiveness in health level enhancement of industrial setting increasingly.