Journal of Health and Safety at Work
Year:2019 | Volume:9 | Issue:1|Papers Count:9

Introduction: Nowadays, millions of people are exposed to the dusts in their workplaces. Occupational exposure to dusts is considered as one of the most common and serious occupational hazards to workers’ health. The purpose of this literature review was to review the literature related to the occupational exposure to dusts in Iran published over the past 14 years. Material and Methods: In this review, published articles were obtained from Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Islamic World Sciences Citation (ISC), Magiran, SID، Iran Medex, and Civilica search engine. The main keywords for search were Occupational Exposure, Lung, Dust, Total Dust, and Respirable Dust. The relevant articles published in Iran over the past 14 years were searched and extracted after checking their relevancy. All articles were classified based on the titles, years of publication, places of publication, type of industries, geographic distributions, sampling and analysis methods, fields of study, and the amounts of exposure. Results: Findings showed that in spite of increases in the rate of published literature in recent years and by considering geographical variation and the large number of dust generating firms and industries, a relatively small number of studies was conducted and published in this field. Majority of the studies in this field considered the levels of dust exposure and respiratory effects of dust exposures. In most studies the levels of occupational exposure to dusts (and crystalline silica dusts) were higher than the recommended limit values. Conclusion: Although an increasing number of studies can be seen in recent years on occupational exposure to dusts and their effect, by considering the presence of large and small size industries with dust generating pollution in Iran, the large number of exposed people, adverse-health effects, and the need for control measures, few studies have been published in this field and further works need to be done in this area.

Introduction: Fire and explosion are the most common consequences of natural gas pipeline accidents. The results of previous studies showed a higher rate of accidents in natural gas transmission lines. Given that a large number of people living in the vicinity of natural gas pipelines with a higher severity of related accidents. The aim of current study was to estimate risks using the method of quantitative calculation of risk and simulation of natural gas pipeline leakage using areal locations of hazardous atmospheres (ALOHA) in natural gas power generation. Material and Methods: The method of quantitative calculation of risk was used to identify and prioritize risks. The simulation of the consequences of natural gas pipeline leakage was done by ALOHA software. Calculations of individual and social risks were performed based on statistical data obtained from the literature. Results: The most serious effect of natural gas pipeline leakage was heat radiation effect of jet flame. Considering three leakage apertures in the natural gas pipeline 80, 130, and 300 mm, individual risks for each leakage aperture were 0. 073, 0. 114, and 0. 569 and the number of deaths was 115, 400, and 3386, respectively. Increases in the leak aperture can lead to an increase in the number of deaths and decrease in the cumulative rate of accidents. Conclusion: The most serious consequence of natural gas pipeline leakage was heat radiation effect of jet flame. The individual risk and social risk are beyond the acceptable risks range.

Introduction: Global Harmonized System (GHS), is a system for labeling chemicals. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of rapid training intervention on student’ s awareness toward Global Harmonized System. Material and Methods: This research was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study conducted among 317 students of Public Health and Allied Medical Sciences faculties of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016 year. Sampling was done in a random base among the study population. A general demographic and a global system labeling questionnaires were used for data collection. Training intervention for familiarization with the chemical safety labels, types of chemicals hazardous was implemented using a rapid training method and PowerPoint tool. Data analysis was performed by T-Tests, ANOVA and T-Paired using the SPSS version 18. Results: Allied medical sciences students with an average of 48. 31% before training and occupational health students with an average of 94. 44% correct answers after the training have the highest awareness on global harmonized system (GHS). The findings also showed that training has a significant effect on the awareness on the international labeling system. Conclusion: The present study showed that initial awareness of the students is low concerning the global harmonized system. So, the prevention of serious accidents in the laboratory environment, the implementation of a short training course would play a significant role in raising students’ awareness about chemical hazards and will control unsafe behaviors during laboratory works.

Introduction: Changing the national System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is beneficial for all the industries of the countries, their workers and the general public. Increasing the awareness of chemical hazards, improving the safety uses, reducing chemical accidents, and providing better conditions for emergency response in the event of chemical accidents, are some of the most important benefits of the GHS. Present study aimed to develop a tool for assessing the awareness level of chemical related personnel using the GHS and current status. Material and Methods: By reviewing the literatures, the GHS Guide, available sources and consultation with experts, two questionnaires were developed to assess the level of awareness of chemical related personnel and current statue. The two designed questionnaires included personal information, multiple choice questions and questions related to safety signs. The face and content validity was conducted using the experts’ panel assessment. The face validity, content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were all calculated for each question. Results: Content Validity Ratios (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) were calculated for each question. The general clarity, general fit and general simplicity of the awareness questionnaire (questionnaire number 1) were obtained 0. 87, 0. 91 and 0. 77, respectively. The mean content validity index and the mean content validity ratio were obtained 0. 85, 0. 85, respectively. The overall clarity, overall fit, and the general simplicity of the current status questionnaire (questionnaire number 2) was 0. 92, 0. 89 and 0. 93, respectively. The mean content validity index and mean content validity ratio were obtained 0. 92 and 0. 81, respectively. Conclusion: The two questionnaires used to assess the awareness level of chemical related personnel and current statue of GHS, were identified as valid instruments and therefore is recommended as a valid tool for future studies.

Introduction: Exposure to organic solvents cause adverse effects on various systems such as the central nervous system, behavioral and cognitive changes, sleep disorders, as well as changes in mood. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of long term exposure to mixed organic solvents on positive and negative aspects of the mood of the workers of a painting industry. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, based on the obtained results of Gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and neuro-behavioral effects of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) compounds, these compounds were selected as the main organic solvents for the study and the amount of these compounds was quantitatively determined according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 1501. Furthermore, the mood status of workers was evaluated by the validated Persian version of BRUMS (The Brunel Mood Scale) questionnaire and the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 24. Results: The mean of exposure to mixed organic solvents in different sections of the exposed group was reported to be 0, 0. 27, 0. 76, and 2. 6 ppm. By increasing exposure to mixed organic solvents from the first quartile to the fourth quartile, fatigue and calmness scores were increased with a strong correlation (r = 0. 7). Also the fatigue and calmness scores in the groups having elevated exposure were significantly higher than the control group. Furthermore, the obtained scores for tension, depression and anger in the exposed group were significantly higher than control group (p-value <0. 05). There was no significant relationship between demographic data such as age, work experience and smoking with different subscale of mood status. Conclusion: Long term exposure to low level of BTEX compounds has made an adverse effect on positive and negative mood status in different aspects. Also, increasing the level of exposure to mixed organic solvents was positively correlated to the obtained scores for fatigue and calmness.

Introduction: Todays, the improvement and optimization of the safety performance are essential and important for control and prevention of accidents in the industry. The purpose of this research was to assist a hybrid cycle power plant for identification and prioritization of the influencing factors in enhancing safety in order to reduce risks and to improve system performance. Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, influencing factors were classified within three main categories of human, equipment, and managment, and 14 sub-factors was screened and selected by experts using Fuzzy Delphi method. Then, fuzzy DEMATEL method was adopted to determine the relationships, the intensity of affecting and being affected factors, and the analytical network process method for weighting and prioritization the factors. Results: The findings of the fuzzy DEMATEL method showed that “ Managerial” , “ equipment” and “ human” factors are respectively influencing factors on the improvement of safety performance. “ Managerial factors” is the most influencing and “ Human factors” is the most influenced one. Based on the results of fuzzy analysis network process method, “ human factors” is the first priority among the main factors, and “ employee motivation” , “ system of control and prevention” , “ work team spirit” , “ individual skills” and “ Individual protection equipment” sub-factors are respectively the first to fifth priorities were according to their weight. Conclusion: “ Human factors” re the most influenced factor and the main problem of the organization, which can be improved by the most influencing “ managerial” factor. The success or failure of the safety performance in the power plant depends on better management of the “ human factors” and managers need to motivate employees to improve safety performance.

Introduction: Physical workload is one of the main risk factors in developing of musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers. The current study was carried out to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its relationship with demographic characteristics and physical work load index (PWLI)in construction workers. Material and Methods: This investigation was a descriptive and cross-sectional study in which 162 subjects including 75 rebar and 87 bricklayer workers were participated. Nordic musculoskeletal and physical workload questionnaires were employed as the tools of this study. Chi-squared and logistic regression tests were used for statistical analysis in SPSS 21 software. Results: The mean of age and working experience of construction workers were 34. 6± 8. 6 and 11. 2± 6. 8 years, respectively. The most prevalent symptoms were in the body regions of upper back (57. 4%), lower back (35. 8%), and neck (30. 2%). In the univariate analysis, the musculoskeletal symptoms of shoulders, low back, feet, knees, and thighs with PWLI and the upper back pain with age, working experience, and working hours had significant relationships (P<0. 05). According to logistic regression analysis, with the increase of the value of PWLI to more than 90 percentile, the chance of having symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in low back, knees, and feet and also with the increase of working hour to more than 8 hours, the chance of having symptoms in low back and feet increased significantly. Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was high in the studied construction workers. Most of the musculoskeletal symptoms were correlated with PWLI. Therefore, PWLI could be used to determine the construction jobs with the high risk of musculoskeletal disorders. To reduce the symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers, the reduction of sources of physical workloads such as heavy material handling and awkward postures are proposed. It is also recommended that the working hours be limited to less than 8 hours.

Introduction: Besides the occupational accident physical, psychological damages, and its economic losses, it can have a serious effect on the quality of working life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational accidents on the quality of working life and its dimensions among workers in a steel manufacturing companies. Material and Methods: This case-control study was carried out among 100 workers (case) with an occupational accident history and 100 workers with no history of incident (control) in the production lines of a steel company during the period of 2012 to 2016. The study was conducted after matching the confounding variables such as age, work history, income level, etc. Data were collected using the NIOSH quality of work life questionnaire. For statistical analysis, SPSS 16 was used and χ 2 and paired t-test statistical analysis were performed. Results: According to the results of current study, the quality of work life average scores of the case (47. 6± 2. 3) and control (49. 5± 2. 3) groups was highly significant (p<0. 001). Also, six out of eight dimensions of the quality of life was significantly affected by occupational accidents, but the highest and lowest influence was found on ergonomics and safety aspect, and the work and life aspect, respectively. Conclusion: According to the result of this study, it can be concluded that occupational accidents are one of the important factors that influence the workers’ quality of work life. Therefore, quality of working life can be considered as a helpful tool in increasing job satisfaction, improving the efficiency and employability of employees and preventing accidents.