Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

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Introduction: While great efforts have been made to determine the quality of life in hospital staffs, few studies have been conducted to identify the effective factors on the quality of life of these employees. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between workload and quality of life in hospital personnel.

Material and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 200 staffs were selected randomly from two large hospitals of Tehran University of medical sciences (Imam Khomeini and Shariati hospitals). The data collecting tools were three questionnaires including demographic characteristics, quality of life (SF-36), and NASA-TLX workload. SPSS software (version 18.0) was used to analyze the data by descriptive statistics, and Pearson and Spearman correlation tests.

Results: Based on the findings of the study, the mean total scores of the quality of life and the workload were 50±18 and 69.7±13.9, respectively. The results revealed significant reduction in all dimensions of quality of life in nurses compared with laboratory and operating room staffs. Meanwhile the nurses’ workload scores were higher than the two aforementioned groups (p = 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant inverse relationship between workload and quality of life in hospital staffs (P=0.004, r = -.306).

Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the role of managers and supervisors in the implementation of efficient interventions for improving the quality of life and workload. Therefore, further researches are required to identify other factors that affect the quality of life and workload in hospital staffs. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

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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.

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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.

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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.

        

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Introduction: The progress of technology and modern technology has changed today’s workplaces and imposed more mental and cognitive demands to workers. Control room is an example of these workplaces. Currently, assessment of mental workload is a key point in the research and development of human-machine relationships in workplaces. This study aimed to validate an analytical approach in evaluating demanded mental workloads for control room operators in Pars combined cycle power plant.

Methods: This was a fundamental-practical and cross-sectional study. First of all, a task analysis was used to understand the operation steps of control room operators. Then, the Visual, Auditory, Cognitive, Psychomotor (VACP) technique was applied to determine the mental workload demanded for performing each step of the works. Finally, the assigned ratings of the VACP method were validated by the analysis of Pearson’s correlation with the answers of the NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire, collected from the control room operators.

Results: Based on the results, the correlation between the assigned ratings of VACP technique and the answers of the NASA-TLX questionnaire was positive and significant.

Conclusions: Due to the high correlation between the assigned ratings of VACP technique and the answers of the NASA-TLX questionnaire, the proposed VACP technique, which can be carried out in the early stage of the design, was suitable as an analysis tool for predicting metal workloads of control room operators.

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Background and Objectives: The use of new technologies, particularly mobile phones, is drastically growing on a daily basis. The usability of mobile phones can be determined for different age groups in order to reach a balanced development plan with respect to this technology. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the usability of touch-screen and button cell phones among Iranian elderly users, with respect to objective performance and perceived usability.  
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 20 elders (50% female) with an average age of  were selected by simple random sampling method to measure the usability of touch-screen and button cell phones. In order to assess the objective performance of how elders work with cell phones, tests were conducted including items like typing speed, number of typing errors, taking photo, creating new contacts, and sending text messages. Perceived usability was obtained using a questionnaire of cell phone usability. Furthermore, muscle pressure and mental work load during cell phone use were evaluated by Borg CR10 and NASA-TLX questionnaires, respectively. Data were analyzed conducting statistical analysis tests of T-test and Mann-Whitney by SPSS24 software.
Results: Results revealed that the average typing speed and typing errors in touch-screen cell phones are larger than that in button cell phones. Moreover, the average of perceived usability in touch-screen cell phones (5.8) is higher than that in button cell phones (4.3). Pearson correlation coefficient showed an inverse relationship (-0.3) between perceived usability and mental work load obtained in both types of the cell phones. Findings showed that the maximum perceived muscle pressure when working with a cell phone is felt in the neck area. 
Conclusion: According to the obtained results, touch-screen cellphones are suggested for those elders who type more and button cell phones are recommended for those who use the cell phone menu more frequently, namely taking photo, calling, internet, and so forth.
 

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Background and Objectives: In recent years, due to the rapid growth of metropolitan cities and the shortage of urban public transport means, including urban bus transportation, many people are forced to travel in a standing position when using these vehicles. This situation may cause pain and discomfort and non-collision injuries for passengers. The purpose of this study was ergonomic assessment of the sit-standing seat in passengers standing on urban buses.
Methods: To do this study, 8 young people with a mean age of 25.25±2.12 years were enrolled. For evaluation and assessing the effect of sit-standing seat two methods of surface Electromyography (sEMG) and Borg scale scores were applied in Fall 2018. The data was analyzed using SPSS 24.
Results: In all body parts, except for the hip, the mean scoring of Borg’s scale for perceived discomfort in sit-standing position was less than standing position. Also, the amount of contractile activity of the leg muscles in sit-standing position was significantly lower than the standing position (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Considering the results obtained from the Borg scale scores and the contraction activity of the leg muscles as a result of the use of the mentioned seat, which led to a reduction in the level of discomfort and the leg muscles contraction, it is recommended to apply the sit-stand seat instead of being in a standing position.

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Background and Aims: Ergonomics is associated with the study and systematic design of the workplace to improve human health and well-being. The health and well-being of employees are influenced by a variety of factors. Nature is a new paradigm in occupational ergonomics that has not been well explored in the main texts of ergonomics in relation to human well-being. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the results of joining with nature on staff health, especially well-being in the form of a systematic review study.
Methods: By searching articles published from 2000 to 2019 in the field of Biophilic design, 25 articles were selected for the present systematic study based on the research criteria. Non-English language articles excluded.
Results: The results of this study showed that Biophilic design is associated with improved human well-being, performance, concentration and stress reduction.
Conclusion: Organizations, with the help of ergonomists, should consider such changes in the workplace, and nature-based solutions as strategic programs for improving well-being rather than merely applying a temporary strategy that changes the physical condition of a building or its landscape.

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