Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Investigation of the relationship between psychosocial stressors and job performance among bank employees

Teimour Allahyari

Introduction: Bank staff experience high level of job stress due to the nature of their work. One of the consequences of stress is its impact on job performance. Since the internal studies in this area are relatively rare, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the psychosocial stressors and job performance among bank staff. Materials and Methods: All staff of the bank branches participated in this study. The General Nordic Questionnaire and Human Resource Productivity Questionnaire were used for data collection. The correlation coefficient and regression models were employed to examine the relationship between job stressors and their scales as independent variables and job performance as the dependent variable. Furthermore, in order to accurately assess the relations between variables, structural equation models were utilized. Results: The results revealed that the prevalence of stress among bank staff was in moderate level (46.6%). Meanwhile, there was a negative and significant relationship between stress in "task domain" and "socio-organizational domain" and job performance. Among the measures in socio-organizational domain, organizational culture and leadership showed highly negative and significant relationships with job performance (p= 0.001). Conclusion: According to the obtained results, socio-organizational domain can be considered as the main cause of loss of productivity. Hence, it is suggested to make further attempts to control the psychosocial factors in workplaces and avoid performance deterioration, particularly in organizational culture and leadership measures.

Study of public exposure to microwave radiation from wireless (WiFi) systems in Hamadan University of medical sciences

Mohsen Aliabadi

Introduction: Due to the increase of public concern about the physical and psychological effects of radiation on the health of users, the present study aimed to determine the extent of public exposure to microwave emissions from wireless system in an educational setting.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the effective intensity of microwave radiation were measured in 110 stations including the location of antennas access points, inside the classrooms, corridors and next to computers in five faculties of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Microwave meter HI 2200 model made by Holaday Co. was used to measure radiation according to the standard method No. C95.3.

Results: The effective intensity of exposure to microwave radiation emitted in the studied university was equaled to 0.304±0.675 µW/cm²whichwas lower than the international exposure limits. However, there were significant differences in the intensities of microwave radiation in terms of measurement locations (P=0.0001). The Highest intensity of microwave radiation was allocated to access points which were equaled to 1.731±0.214 µW/cm².

Conclusion: Although the intensity of microwave exposure from wireless networks at the university level was lower than the international limits and due to the failure to obtain conclusive evidence on the health effects of radiation exposure on humans at various levels, it seems to be necessary to inform users about radiation health risks to increase their awareness in educational settings. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Ergonomic Evaluation of Exposure to Musculoskeletal Disorders Risk Factors in Welders

Naser Dehghan

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent one of the leading causes of occupational injury and disability in the developed and industrially developing countries. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and evaluate the risk of these disorders among welders of a steel manufacturing industry.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was achieved on all 243 welders employed in a steel manufacturing industry. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to study the prevalence of MSDs. Meanwhile, QEC technique was employed to evaluate the risk of exposure to these disorders. For data analysis, central statistical indices, T-test and Chi-square test were used.

Results: The results suggested the highest prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in low back, trunk and knees, respectively. QEC technique showed a high and very high risk of exposure to MSDs in 64.6 % of welders.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the prevalence of WMSDs in welders under study was high. Based on the obtained results, the most significant ergonomic problems in welders were found to be awkward postures, manual material handling and back bending and twisting. Furthermore, the results suggested that QEC can present reliable findings in evaluating the risk level of exposure to WMSDs. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Correlation of Astrand and ACSM Protocols in Estimating the Maximum Aerobic Capacity (Vo2-Max)

Hadi Daneshmandi

Introduction: The maximum aerobic capacity (VO2-max) can be used to assess the cardio-respiratory condition and fit the physiological characteristics of workers to the work. This study was conducted to determine the correlation between the two methods of estimating the maximum aerobic capacity and its affecting factors among students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 104 students (54 males and 50 females) participated voluntarily (age ranged from 18 to 28 years). The subjects were assessed by step test according to Åstrand and ACSM protocols. The data collecting tool was a questionnaire including separate sections of demographic (age, sex, etc.), anthropometric (height, weight and BMI) and physiological (VO2-max) characteristics.

Results: The results revealed that the maximum aerobic capacity estimated from Åstrand and ACSM protocols were 3.21 (0.825) and 3.13 (0.707) l.min-1, respectively. Pearson correlation test showed high correlation between estimated maximum aerobic capacity via two protocols of Åstrand and ACSM (r=0.958). Meanwhile, there were significant associations among maximum aerobic capacity with weight, height, BMI and the number of hours of exercise per week.

Conclusion: The two methods for estimating the maximum aerobic capacity (Åstrand and ACSM) were highly correlated. Variables such as weight, height, BMI, and number of hours of exercise per week can be named as effective factors on VO2-m Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Evaluation and effect Dimension of quality of work life on job satisfaction in the automotive industry

Mahdi Asghari

Introduction: The present study was aimed to investigate the dimensions of quality of work life and its relation to job satisfaction among workers of automotive industry. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 150 workers of an automotive industry in Tehran city were chosen by simple random sampling method. Three questionnaires of demographic characteristics, quality of work life and job satisfaction were employed as data collecting tools. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation and regression tests were used. Results: About 6% of participants evaluated their workload as light, 11.3% as moderate, 60.7% as heavy, and 22% as very heavy. The average of job satisfaction was 55.94± 13.45. 15.3% of subjects had low job satisfaction, 68.7% moderate and 16% reported high job satisfaction. There was a positive and significant relation between quality of work life and job satisfaction (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, general health condition had the highest effect on job satisfaction. Conclusion: In general, there was a positive and significant relation between the quality of work life and job satisfaction, so that the higher the quality of work life, the higher the job satisfaction of workers. The results also emphasize the role and impact of managers and supervisors for effective interventions to improve quality of work life and job satisfaction. Therefore, further studies are proposed for the identification of other effective factors on the quality of work life and job satisfaction.

Prevalence and risk factors of visual fatigue in computer users

Faramarz Gharagozlou

Introduction: Working with Visual Display Terminals (VDTs) can be associated with visual complaints particularly visual fatigue and symptoms including headache, disruption in continuing the work and ocular disorders. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of visual fatigue and its related risk factors in computer users of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was achieved on 260 computer users. The data were collected by Visual Fatigue, demographic and job questionnaires. For data analysis, Spearman, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Results: The mean (SD) age of the users was 36.74 (7.74) and daily working time with VDTs was 5.85 (2.28) hours. Visual fatigue score was 2.99 (1.97), so that 32.3% of computer users had severe eye fatigue. Meanwhile, 45.4, 21.9, 32.7 and 46.2 percentage of users suffered severely from eye strain, visual impairment, eye-surface disorder and extra-ocular problems. Visual fatigue incidence and its compliments were significantly increased with increasing of age, work experience and daily working hours with computer (p<0.05). Visual fatigue was higher in users wearing glasses than those not wearing glasses (p<0.001) and was lower in monitor to window angle of 90º than two other monitor to window positions of 0º (p=0.041) and 180º (p=0.036). Conclusion: The prevalence of visual fatigue among computer users was very high. Visual fatigue and its serious consequences can be prevented by applying the principles of ergonomics such as regular and short breaks, looking at distant objects, blinking regularly and reducing the direct and indirect glares.

Musculoskeletal disorders & ergonomic considerations in computer use among medical sciences students

Aram Tirgar

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common consequences of poor working conditions associated with computer use. Regarding the lack of information about MSDs and the extensive use of computer among the university students in our country, this study aimed to explore the awareness level of ergonomic considerations in computer use and the prevalence of MSDs among university students.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 students of three faculties of medicine, dentistry and paramedical of Babol University of Medical Sciences in 2012. The subjects were selected by simple sampling method. The data were gathered by the researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 6 open and 10 closed questions. Data processing was performed by using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.

Results: The mean (SD) age of students was 21.7 (2.5) years, 64% were females and 67% were undergraduate students. Ninety percent of the students had personal computer and 48% had spent 1 hour or more on their computer daily. It has been reported that approximately 55% of students had suffered from MSDs and less than 10% of them had been familiar with ergonomic considerations in computer use. Chi-square test indicated a significant difference in the incidence of MSDs in terms of the duration of working with computer (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The complaints of MSDs in about half of the students and the lack of awareness of ergonomic considerations in most of them suggest the possibility of increasing future problems. Therefore, regarding the inclination of most students in receiving information and their influential role in the dissemination of knowledge, performing interventional programs including education in computer ergonomic principles is recommended. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Evaluation of WMSDs in VDT users with Rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) method

M.sadegh Sohrabi

Introduction: Regarding the increasing growth in jobs dealing with computers and the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among VDT users, the assessment and identification of ergonomic risk factors are of greater importance. This study aimed to evaluate MSDs among office VDT users.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 participants (37 females and 34 males) selected randomly among administrative staff of Isfahan Art University. CMD questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of MSDs and for measuring ergonomic risk factors ROSA method was employed in VDT stations.

Results: According to ROSA risk levels, 21% (15 participants) were at low risk (score of less than 3), 48% (34 participants) were in the notification area (score 3 to 5) and 31% (22 participants) were in the need area for ergonomic intervention (score of more than 5). Sex, body mass index, educational level and work experience had significant impacts on ROSA final score (p<0.001). There was a positive significant correlation between ROSA final score and MSDs in the participants (p<0.001, r=0.828).

Conclusion: With regard to the purpose of ROSA method for evaluating risk factors of working with computer in administrative and office settings and the finding of this study, it can be employed as a useful tool in identifying and ranking ergonomic risks in today office environments. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA