Ghasem Hesam, Majid Motamedzade, Ghasem Khakbaz, Zahra Moradpour,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational diseases and injuries. The importance of control and reduction the discomfort to the extent that in many countries, Prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers has been considered as one of the national priorities.
Methods: the cross-sectional study was carried out as an intervention in a chicken slaughterhouse. In order to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, Cornell questionnaire was used. By identifying the tasks that are very high in musculoskeletal disorders posture evaluate was conducted and then the proportional to risk level tasks, engineering and management measures was performed. Given that most tasks are the kind of manual handling and carrying, were used the KIM methods for evaluating posture before and after of intervention.
Results: The results of the Cornell questionnaire showed that the highest risk level Belongs to the neck, shoulders, back, arms and waist. Also evaluate by the KIM method the highest level of risk was estimated, the task of throwing the box and pick up the ice with the risk level 4 score, that after the intervention, decreased to the 2 score. Improvement obtained for all interventions on the average about 46.37 percent. The McNemar test was also significant difference between the results obtained before and after intervention.
Conclusion: ergonomic problems have undesirable effects on employee health and productivity. This study, engineering and management interventions could significantly reduce the amount of corrective measures to improve working conditions in different parts of the company.
Mohamad Ali Zamani, Reza Osqueizadeh, Seyyed Farhad Tabatabai Ghomshe,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The extensive development of written interactions in the current world of technology in one hand, and on the other hand noticeable dominance of English language in this milieu, has led to inadequate utilization of Farsi in such settings, even amongst native speakers. Lack of experimental data regarding legibility and readability of the printed and electronic texts related to this language has been the main theory behind the current research, which was designed to evaluate correlations between typography and reading performance.
Materials & Methods
Eighty four Farsi speaking university students, having no specific visual impairments, took part in the study. Frequently used Farsi fonts, edited in equal pixel areas and sizes, and were evaluated through legibility and readability tests. Word detection and word search techniques were considered for each test respectively. All trails were designed within similar visual interaction conditions to avoid any background biases.
Results
Statistical analyses revealed correlations between typography and readying performance in Farsi (compared to English). Amongst the six frequently used fonts studied, legibility was significantly higher in Yekan, t (83) = -2.649, p=0.012. Likewise readability was found to be significantly smoother in Zar font, t (83) = - 2.194, p=0.037.
Conclusion
On the whole, the current approach towards classification of Persian fonts confirms the outcomes of the present study. In other words, fonts frequently used for development of body of the texts usually have higher legibility, and types being utilized for presentation purposes mainly possess higher readability.
Mehdi Jahangiri, Saeedeh Jafari, Farzaneh Miri, Sareh Keshavarzi,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: One of the relatively common accidents in work place environments is Slips, Trips and Falls (STF) that can cause back injuries, sprains & strains, bruises, contusions, fractures, tears and even death. Aim of this study was slip risk assessment in different sections of a hospital in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done using Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Slip Assessment Tool (SAT). Prevalence of slip accidents were investigated using a questionnaire among 178 of hospital staffs. Data analysis was done using SPSS-20 software. Roughness coefficient was measured using Roughness Meter TQC-SP1560.
Results: Slip risk level in 5 sections including outside stairs, surgery, ICU and emergency admission was significant. The maximum and minimum slip risk was related to stairs and physiotherapy section respectively. The prevalence of slips incidents were reported 47.2 percent by healthcare workers.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the surface contaminant as well as method and frequency of surface cleaning are the most important effective factors on slip risk in the studied hospital.
Kamelia Fathi, Fateme Ghorbani, Rashid Heidari Moghadam, Hossein Mojtahedi,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effects of six- week aerobic step training on cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, leg anaerobic power and quality of life of isfahan university female students in academic year 2012-2011. Methods: 31 female students of Isfahan university were randomly assigned in experimental group (N=16, mean Age 27±2 , Weight 58.34 ±6.27, Height 1.61±4) and control group (N=15, mean Age25 ±1 , Weight 54.7±7.32, Height 1.61±6).pre test and post test measurements included cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, leg anaerobic power and quality of life questionnaire(WHOQOL(. analysis of covariance( ANCOVA) was used to test to effects of aerobic training as intervention(P<0.05). Results: There was a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness (p=0.001) and there was a significant decrease in body composition (p=0.046). There was no significant increase in flexibility (p=0.109) and leg anaerobic power (p=0.180). there was a significant increase in total score of quality of life(p=0.00). Conclusion: a six- week aerobic step training improves quality of life and cardiovascular fitness and body composition of training group
M.saeed Moradi, Davood Afshari, Taher Hoseinzade, Kambiz Ahmadi,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background: Safety signs are considered as visual intermediates for message transmission and play a crucial role in reducing accidents particularly in petrochemical industries. These signs are effective as long as they are designed in compliance with ergonomic principles, human factors, and cognitive features. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the psychological effects of safety signs in transmitting message given their designing features in the petrochemical industry.
Materials and methods: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 employees in Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex. A 2 partite questionnaire was used to collect data the first part for demographic information and the second part included designing features of signs (familiarity, objectivity, simplicity, meaningfulness, semantic proximity). The Pearson correlation test was used to identify the correlation coefficients between signs features and scores given by the participants.
Findings: Mean and standard deviation of the scores of the signs’ message perception were 60.73 and 4.36, respectively. Cognitive features of the signs included familiarity and semantic proximity with a mean of 49.15 and 66.78, respectively. The factors of work experience, age, and academic level had no significant effect on guessing the meaning of signs (p>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that no significant relationship existed between cognitive features of the signs and transmission of the message and message transmission of safety signs is affected by other features than their design. Therefore, in order to improve individuals’ awareness about familiarity of employees with particular meaning of signs, ergonomic design of safety signs and proper training for perceiving their meaning are proposed.
Somayeh Gharebaei, Habibollah Dehghan , Behzad Mahaki, Firouz Valipour,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Heat exposure is one of the harmful agents at work environments. Workers in high temperature environments are susceptible to heat strain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of Iranian cooling vests containing phase change material in hot and humid conditions in the Persian Gulf.
Materials and Methods: This interventional study carried out on 6 subjects of oil tanker ship's engine room staff in summer in 2013. The Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI), oral temperature and blood pressure measured with and without the cooling vest wearing for two hours, and data were analyzed by paired t test.
Results: The mean oral temperature were 36.98± 0.22 °C (without cooling vest) and were 36.68± 0.68°C (cooling vest) at 30th minutes in heat exposure. The mean oral temperature were 37.06± 0.25 °C (without cooling vest) and were 36.78± 0.16°C (cooling vest) at 60th minutes in heat exposure. (p <0.042) and also HSSI was 12.72 ±3.03 (without cooling vest) and 8.65 ±2.9 (with cooling vest) (p <0.039) but the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not significant statistically with and without the use of cooling vests (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings showed that cooling vests with phase change material packs reducing heat strain (oral temperature and perceptual heat) in hot and humid climates in Persian Gulf
Mansour Ziaei, Hamed Yarmohammadi, Behzad Karamimatin, Soudabeh Yarmohammadi, Zeinab Nazari, Faramarz Gharagozlou,
Volume 2, Issue 2 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background: Nurses’ Burnout can lead to increasing absenteeism and also decreasing energy and quality of service that provided by them. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occupational burnout and its related factors among nurses of a hospital in Kermanshah city in 2013.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study 189 nurses were selected randomly. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The gathered data were analyzed by Pearson, Independent T-test and ANOVA in statistical level of p≤0.05.
Results: Mean score of occupational burnout was 61.89. 39.2% nurses reported high emotional exhaustion, 37.6% high depersonalization and 73.5% of them had low personal accomplishment. There were statistical relationship between emotional exhaustion with employment status (p=0.015) and educational degree (p=0.041), between depersonalization with employment status (p=0.022) and working shift (p=0.023), and also between personal accomplishment with age (p=0.010), working experience (p=0.002) and shift working (p=0.045).
Conclusion: The level of nurses’ occupational burnout was average to high. The causes may be high workload, unsafe and boring work environment and high stress. It can be increased the commitment, positive sense to work and personal accomplishment can be reinforced by correct management of human resources including the determination of duties and strategies according to nurses’ ability, new approaches for encouragement and motivation as well as running stress management workshops.
Javad Faradmal, Javad Keshvari Kamran,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: Index of usability
evaluates performance, user satisfaction and increased productivity in a
product. Principles of usability are effectiveness, efficiency, safety, utility,
learnability, Memorability. This Study Aims to Develop a Tool to Estimate and
Evaluate the Usability of Web Applications in the field of Automation Research
has been determined.
Material and Methods: After extracting,
an initial questionnaire to assess the usability of the standard resource for
indices of validity, internal consistency and reproducibility, respectively
technique for determining the content validity, test-retest method and
cronbach's alpha coefficient were used. The most important steps were as follow:
(1) determine the scope and dimensions of the questions (2) preparing draft questionnaire (3) appoint the members of the expert panel (4) methods, how
data analysis (5) determine the acceptance criteria
of the questions (6) determine the content validity index (7) determine reliability
of the questionnaire (8) determine reproducibility of the questionnaire.
Results: A 50-Item
questionnaire was designed as the ultimate tool. The content validity index
value of 0.763 was obtained ultimately for the questionnaire. Analysis of the
questionnaire responses revealed that the lower backend errors related to the
reliability coefficient alpha value was equal to 0.742. Finally, the degree of
reproducibility of the questionnaire, using test-retest method, was equal to
value of 0.993 (p <0.001).
Conclusion: After the
final questionnaire design, with good reliability and validity, it is
noticeable that the designed tool is applicable on relevant softwares and may
improve the quality and efficiency of the software and user interface.
Mojtaba Abbaszadeh, Seyyed Abolfazl Zakerian, Ali Nahvi, Jebrael Nasl Seraji,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: One of the
most important subjects in the analysis of driver’s behavior had been situation
awareness during the past decade. However, no study has been investigated the
relation among component of situation awareness and performance and cognitive
abilities of bus drivers. Current study aimed to survey relationship between
bus drivers’ situation awareness, driving performance and cognitive abilities
using driving simulator.
Material and Methods: In this study,
30 professional bus drivers who have diploma or higher degree participated.
Situation awareness measured by SAGAT technique and tests UFOV, EFT and WMS
were used for measuring of cognitive abilities. Brake reaction time and lane
departures were criteria for driving performance.
Results: Accordingly,
the result showed significant relation between drivers’ situation awareness
before and after hazard conditions. Among WMS, divided attention, selective
attention and EFT with level 1 of situation awareness was seen significant
relation. The result of current study released a significant correlation among
WMS and divided attention with lane departure.
Conclusion: Results
showed, in general, the driver's situational awareness in dangerous conditions
increases. The study showed that cognitive ability affects only level 1 of
situational awareness. According to role of situational awareness in driving
performance, the results of lane keeping showed that perception might be a key
factor in driving performance.
Gholamabbas Shirali, Afshin Dibeh Khosravi, Taher Hosseinzadeh, Asad Fathi, Masood Hame Rezaee, Mostafa Hamzeiyan Ziariani,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: In many
sensitive and sophisticated workplaces, human errors are very important. Many
events occur annually around the world is evidence to confirm error due to the
data processing operators. The main goal of this study was to investigate human
information processing models and workload demands on human operators, then
developing a regression model for this purpose.
Material and Methods: This was a case study. Task analysis of control room
members, including shift supervisor, board man, and site man and user
instrumentation in this study was investigated. Data collection was performed
by interviewing employees using a questionnaire with two parts the first part
was the model of human information processing and the second part was workload
NASA–TLX and an appendix of opinions existing staffing level and finally task
analysis performed using SPSS 16 – SPSS.
Results: There was a correlation between workload and stages of
human information processing model such as perception )r=0.65, p<0.01), vocal response (r=0.45, p<0.01)
and manual response (r=0.15, p<0.05). Some effective factors on workload
were vocal response (β=0.232, p=0.033) and perception (β=0.576, p=0.00). The
most important factors in the analysis of anticipation staffing demand were
perception (β=2.514, p=0.008), workload (β=1.57, p=0.018) and vocal responses
(β=2.428, p=0.01), respectively.
Discussion and Conclusion: Increasing
concentration and attention and perception skills using psychological measures
including decreasing the workload and stress and holding specialized training
courses are necessary.
Mohammad Ghofrani, Habib Noori, Ahmad Roshan Bakhsh Yazdi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the deleterious
effects of mismatch between body dimensions of students and educational
furniture, this study aimed to assess the size of students’ body in Yazd.
Material and Methods: The study population included
all high school students in Yazd city. Popliteal height, buttock-popliteal
length, elbow rest height, hips width, thighs thickness and scapular elevation
were measured in 307 students. Besides, in furniture used in the schools studied,
two chairs and two benches that had a greater frequency of analysis were
chosen.
Results: The results of the
statistical comparisons showed that type 1 furniture, seat width was acceptable
for 96.74% and thigh freedom was 100% fit. The type 2 furniture depth for most
students was appropriate, and seat width was acceptable for 96.42% of students.
Thigh freedom was fit for 100% with a good rating. In type 3 furniture, there
was not any parameter with good fit and in type 4 furniture, wide seat width
and thigh freedom was desirable.
Conclusions: In general, the furniture
conformity with students’ anthropometry was not desirable.
Hamid Salmani Nodooshan, Shaghayegh Koohi Booshehri, Alireza Choobineh, Hadi Daneshmandi, Abdolhalim Rajabi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: In the orthotic
and prosthetic workshops, awkward postures, repetitive and continuously
movements etc. are the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This
study was conducted with the objective of ergonomic assessment of working
conditions in these workshops.
Material and Methods: In this study
all employed personnel of linorthotic and prosthetic production centers in Shiraz
city participated (n=42).Data were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal disorders
Questionnaire (NMQ) and Ergonomic Risk Factor checklist (ERF)for assessment of
working conditions .Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (Ver. 16).
Results: The means
(SD) of age and job tenure (years) in employees studied were 37.26 (10.21) and
12.8 (9.39), respectively .The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in
lower back (42.9%), shoulder (40.5%) and knee (40.5%).Working condition
assessment by ERF check list revealed that the means core of upper and lower
region of body and also mean of total score were higher than acceptable limit
(more than 7)..
Conclusion: In working
conditions improvement, corrective measures and MSDs risk factors control in
studied workers should be noted to risk factors in low back, shoulder and knee.
The results of this study showed that ergonomic problems in orthotics and
prosthetics clinics was related to "custom shoe making",
"grinding and finishing", "filling plaster cast" and
"positive cast rectification" tasks and ergonomic interventions to
decrees and/or eliminate of awkward working posture needed corrections.
Abdollah Vahedi, Sara Dehnavi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: As the
traffic is one of the most common social troubles in big cities, widen the roads
culture and using the intelligent methods are using to control the traffic. Therefore,
the traffic control systems are innovated. These system
operators have to do many cognitive jobs to manage these systems. CWA as a
framework to improve the design of these systems has introduced in this paper
to analyze them.
Material and Methods: CTA
recognizes the restrictions of system throughout the 5 phases that begin with
work domain analysis and ends in necessary personal qualification. Task
analysis, strategy analysis and investigating the cooperation and organizations
are between paces, respect.
Results: the results
of this investigation consist of outline of the technique CWA, work domain analysis,
decision ladders, details of relevant indicators, strategies, Information Flow
Map (IFM), to frame the social organization and cooperation, and worker
qualification analysis.
Conclusion: The results of
this study may used in selection and training the mentioned systems operators.
The main reason is to use the experienced staff with high cognitive abilities
in working with these systems. Otherwise, it can result in waste the
organization money and energy. The operator decision making is more dependent
on the information process, the operator also needs to have higher cognitive
abilities. Strong visual search, timing and problem solving are perquisites of
this job opportunity.
Fatemeh Khayati, Mahmood Nasr Esfahani, Marjan Firoozeh, Amir Kavoosi, Mahnaz Saremi,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (12-2014)
Abstract
Introduction: High
prevalence of neck pain has become an important health complain among dental
practitioners which is followed by reduced working performance, burnout and
early retirement. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship
between individual and occupational risk factors as well as forward head
posture (FHP) with dentist’s neck pain and to determine the priority of these
factors in the development of the neck pain.
Material and Methods: In this cross
- sectional study, 70 dentists of two dental centers in Tehran were examined
with clinical testing of FHP. Individual and job characteristics were collected
by means of a questionnaire. The visual analog scale (VAS) was applied in order
to determine the severity of pain in various parts of the body. Spearman and
Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regressions were used to
examine the relationship and effect of the studied variables in creating the
neck pain.
Results: According to
the results, neck was the most painful part of the body (66.6%). Indeed, 40
(57.1%) of participating dentists were suffering from the forward head posture.
The results of the multiple linear regression showed that the FHP with the
standard coefficient (β= 0.64) was the most influential factor in predicting
the incidence of neck pain.
Conclusion: The FHP has a
greater impact than any other individual and job factors in creating neck pain.
It may be concluded that awkward neck posture is the most important risk factor
for neck pain in static sitting jobs such as dentistry.
Mohammad Ranjbarian, Leila Gheibi, Hossein Hatami, Soheila Khodakarim,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Due to their
long work hours at environments with poor lighting, carpet weavers are at a
risk of developing certain eye diseases. Improving health conditions and safety
in the workplace, in particular supplying good lighting to carpet weaving
workshops as an important environmental factor, is crucial to the health of
carpet weavers.
Materials and
Methods: The present descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted
in rural carpet weaving workshops in the city of Takab. A total of 86 carpet
weaving workshops were selected through the cluster sampling method with 222
carpet weavers employed in them. General and local lighting settings were
measured in carpet weaving workshops using an LX-13 photometer and the vision
status of the workers was then determined through an E chart. All the data were
ultimately analyzed in SPSS-16.
Results: A total of
48.6% of the carpet weavers suffered from poor vision. The workshops examined
had a minimum area of 9m2 and a maximum area of 56m2, with
interior surfaces often brightly colored. In the majority of the workshops, general
lighting settings (in 82.4%) and local lighting settings (in 91.9%) were below
the standard. All the carpet weaving workshops studied had windows.
Conclusion: The results
of this study showed that, in the majority of the workshops studied, lighting
settings were both quantitatively and qualitatively undesirable and
non-standard. In addition, lighting distribution was non-uniform in these
workshops. Reduced lighting significantly increases the prevalence of poor
vision. In order to reduce eye injuries among carpet weavers during their years
of working, artificial lighting systems must be designed for and implemented in
carpet weaving workshops that suit the industry standards.
Iraj Mohammadfam, Chiman Saeidi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Human errors
result in numerous accidents in healthcare professions every year and lead to
the death of many patients. Considering the high rate of eye cataract surgeries
performed in Iran and the sensitive nature of the surgery, the present study
was conducted to identify and assess possible human errors in the performance
of these surgeries.
Materials and
Methods: The present qualitative, cross-sectional study was conducted to identify
and assess human errors in the process of eye cataract surgery using the SHERPA
technique. At first, using the hierarchical task analysis method,
the surgery process was divided into tasks and sub-tasks. In the next step,
through the same technique, possible human errors were detected and
risk-assessed. Appropriate prevention solutions were then proposed for reducing
the risk of errors.
Results: A total of 53
possible errors were detected for the 41 tasks in the surgery process. The
highest error percentages pertained to performance and the lowest pertained to
retrieval. Moreover, the risk of 22.64% of the errors detected was deemed
unacceptable.
Conclusions: Given the
severity of the outcomes of human errors in cataract surgery, reducing the rate
of the detected errors is crucial. According to the type and frequency of the
detected errors, the findings of the present study emphasize the importance of
designing and implementing behavior-based safety training programs for
ophthalmologists.
Rostam Golmohammadi, Mohammad Hajiakbari, Rashid Heydari Moghadam, Razie Zare, Seyede Khadije Hoseini, Samane Karami,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: In an
educational environment, the quality of vision is integral to educational
progress. Creating visual comfort and increasing efficiency and the desire to
study are among the benefits of adjusting the lighting in classrooms and
preventing visual impairment in the students. The present study was conducted
to evaluate the degree of internal lighting in girls' schools across Hamadan in
2006 and 2014 so as to help identify their potential problems.
Materials and
Methods: The present study was conducted in girls' schools across Hamadan on two
different occasions –in 2006 and 2014. On each occasion, the average general
and local lighting on the classroom blackboards were measured by the
recommended methods of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America on
non-sunny days using a Lux Meter and were then compared to the standard limits
recommended in the Health and Safety Code of schools and by the Illuminating
Engineering Society of North America. In addition to the degree of lighting,
certain quality assessment criteria were assessed, including the lighting
layout, lamp maintenance, contrast, internal surface cleaning, lighting system
maintenance, type of lamps and technical suitability of the design.
Results: Taking the
criteria for favorable lighting conditions into account, less than 25% of the
sites examined had favorable lighting on both occasions in 2006, only 16% of
the classes had favorable general lighting and in 2014, the degree of lighting
fell to an unacceptable range in all classes and only 6% of the entire
classroom were covered by a standard degree of local lighting on the
blackboard. The results also show that surface reflection coefficients are
within the desirable range.
Conclusion: The lack of
favorable general and local lighting on the blackboard at schools in 2014 and
its comparison with the results of the 2006 lighting assessment indicate that
providing standard lighting is still a problem for schools. Improper lighting
layouts and the use of incandescents or inappropriate light bulbs are among the
major causes of poor lighting conditions in girls' school across Hamadan.
Yadollah Hamidi, Marzieh Mortezaei, Ahmad Heidari Pahlavian, Ali Reza Soltanian, Rashid Heidari Moghaddam,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: The quality
of work life is one of the main issues in human resource management that is
related to job satisfaction, resignation, turnover rate, personality and job
stress. The present study was conducted to investigate the quality of working
life in relation to stress levels and participation in health care workers in
cities.
Materials and
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 124 random health care
workers employed in centers across the city of Hamadan. Walton's quality of
work life questionnaire, Belcher's participation questionnaire and a stress
questionnaire were used for achieving the study objectives. The Pearson test
was used for determining the correlation between the variables.
Results: The results
showed that 40.3% of the subjects reported their overall participation rate to
be low, 38.7%% reported it to be moderate and 21% reported it to be high. In
addition, 73.4% of the subjects reported low levels of perceived stress and
26.6% reported it to be very high. The findings of the study showed a significant
positive correlation between participation and the quality of work life (r=0.33
and p<0.001). The quality of work life and stress were also
found to have a negative correlation (p=0.015 and r=-0.219).
Conclusion: Through
understanding participation and levels of stress among the employees and
through presenting and implementing appropriate strategies for reducing stress
and encouraging participation, the quality of work life and ultimately the
productivity of health care organizations can be increased.
Naeimeh Asadi, Alireza Choobineh, Sareh Keshavarzi, Hadi Daneshmandi,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Manual load lifting is the most common and most
stressful activity in manual handling of loads that imposes the highest
possible amount of biomechanical pressure on the body, particularly on the
spine. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of
musculoskeletal disorders and to estimate the mechanical force exerted on the
lower back in workers responsible for manual load lifting.
Material and Methods: The present
cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 workers responsible for manual load
lifting activities in 7 industrial settings in the city of Shiraz. The Nordic Musculoskeletal
Questionnaire (NMQ) was used for determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal
disorders and the 3DSSPP software was used to estimate the forces exerted on
the lower back during load lifting. Data were then analyzed in
SPSS-19.Findings: The results showed that lower back problems constitute the
most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder (68.3%). Evaluations conducted in
3DSSPP showed that in 17.5% of the cases, compressive forces, and in 10.8% of the
cases, shearing forces exerted on the L5-S1 disc were higher in the workers
than the permissible levels. There were no significant differences between the
rate of the prevalence of lower back pain at different levels of compressive
and shearing forces exerted on the disc (p>0/05).
Results: This finding might indicate the limitations of the
method used in this study for conducting a comprehensive assessment of loads
exerted on the spine.
Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, in particular
lower back pain, was estimated to be high among the subjects studied. The risk
levels of compressive and shearing forces exceeded the permissible amount in a
low percentage of the workers studied. The 3DSSPP software might have certain
limitations in the assessment of the pressure exerted on the spine.
Amir Aliabadi, Ghasem Hesam, Zahra Moradpoor,
Volume 2, Issue 4 (3-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Welding is
considered to be one of the main sources of occupational exposure to non
ionizing radiations. The present study was conducted to examine the rate of
occupational exposure to non-ionizing radiation in common welding processes.
Materials and
Methods: In the present descriptive analytical study, occupational
exposure to different types of non-ionizing radiations including
electromagnetic fields with extremely low frequency and ultraviolet and
infrared radiations were examined in five types of arc welding processes at the
welding department of the technical and vocational training center of Malayer.
Electric field intensities and magnetic field intensities were measured using
the HOLADAY HI-3604 instrument and based on the ANSI/IEEE Std 644-1994 method. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation intensities
were measured using Hagner-EC1 radiometer (made in Sweden).
Results: Electric
field intensities and magnetic field intensities were lower than the exposure
limits in the different types of welding processes examined. Nevertheless, the
intensity of UV-B radiation
exposure was higher than the exposure limits in the different types of welding
processes examined, while UV-A radiation exposure was only higher than the
exposure limits in arc welding. The results of measuring UV radiation
intensities transmitted through protective goggles revealed the acceptable
shade number of the lenses used. However, welders' clothing did not provide
adequate protection. Moreover, the results showed that welders' infrared
radiation exposure degree was much lower than the exposure limits.
Conclusion: The intensity
of exposure to non-ionizing radiations was influenced by the type of welding
process taken. Given the overexposure of welders to UV-B radiation in unshielded conditions, wearing clothes with
an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50 is necessary for providing better
protection.
