Showing 74 results for Ergonomics
Aram Tirgar, Seyed Ehsan Samaei,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (6-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Content analysis is amongst common methods of scientific research of journals. According to the paucity of such studies in the ergonomics scope and the need for information on the direction and characteristics of conducted research and in order to gain more detailed plans, this study aimed to perform a content analysis of scientific outputs regarding occupational Health with an emphasis on ergonomics.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on articles published by Persian and interior Latin journals with a minimum track record of 3 years for a period of 10 years, from 2005 to 2015. Data were collected via a researcher-made checklist, using census and based on the content analysis method.
Results: The extracted data, from 927 articles during the period of 10 years, from 5 specialized journals, showed that the largest share of researches was related to the ergonomics scope (24.27%). The main research tools used in ergonomics articles were questionnaires (69.77%). Based on the types of studies, only 15.55% of ergonomic researches were based on interventional studies.
Conclusions: Articles with the subject of ergonomics have increased over the past decade. Most research has been conducted with an emphasis on physical health; however, psychological and social aspects of health have been somewhat neglected. Most research in ergonomics scope was descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional. In this regard, more attention should be paid to interventional studies.
Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Ismail Shokrolahi, Royan Shahpuri, Jamshid Yazdani-Charati,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, with the progressive development of various scientific, research and industrial fields, there are musculoskeletal disorders in computer and laptop users. Musculoskeletal disorders including pain and pressure in areas such as wrists, elbows, neck and shoulders, along with the fatigue of these areas, especially back and waist pain are common among many computer and laptop users. The aim of this study was to design a customizable ergonomic table for using laptops based on the anthropometric characteristics of students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was conducted on 108 (61 males and 47 females) students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Ten parameters including knee height sitting on a chair, eyes- elbows height, cross-legged posture kneeling length, cross-legged posture kneeling height, thick thighs, elbow rest height-sitting, shoulder-fingertip length, abdominal depth, hip breath, and elbow-fingertip length were measured using the adjustable seating, caliper and meter. The SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data. Then, the percentiles 1 to 99 and the golden number 1.618 were used to design the table.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 23 ± 3.14 years. Based on anthropometric characteristics, gold number, resulting percentiles and design equations, an adjustable ergonomic table was designed in three seated sitting, four-knee and Fowler’s positions.
Conclusions: It is expected that after putting this device on the laptop, the musculoskeletal disorders caused by its use will be reduced. Because of limited studies have been conducted in this area, it is suggested that further studies in this regard be undertaken in the future.
Dr Rashid Heidarimoghadam, Dr Mohammad Babamiri, Dr Majid Motamedzade, Nasrin Nouri,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: The design of tools may play an important role in development of the problems related to hands and arms. The health and satisfaction of those who use these tools can be affected by the improvement of ergonomic tools. This research aims to assess the local discomfort caused by the usage of common pencils comparing to the ergonomic ones.
Methods: 50 right-handed students (girls only) participated in this study. They wrote one paragraph using all the writing tools that were being studied in this research. At the end the comments were collected using the LPD questionnaire and were analyzed by t-test and Mann-Whitney test and SPSS version 23.
Results: The results of the CHQ questionnaire showed that this questionnaire could be a useful tool for assessing the comfort of using writing tools among students in the school environment. Also, the results from the LPD scale showed that this scale could be very helpful for assessing local perceived discomfort among school students. In the second part, the results of the comparison of the mean of data from the CHQ questionnaire and the LPD scale showed that there is a significant difference between the common pencils and the designed pencil for comfort and local perceived discomfort.
Conclusion: It was found that common pencils cause pain, pressure, inflammation and numbness in the hands and forearm and shoulder. And the use of designed ergonomic pencil will reduce the pressure and pain on the hands and shoulders.
Mohammad Babamiri, Fakhradin Ghasemi, Rashid Heidari Moghadam, Jjalil Derakhshan, Mahnoush Karimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: “Participatory ergonomics” is defined as an active participation of all members of the organization in the development and implementation of ergonomic knowledge in order to improve the working environment, quality, productivity and safety of the organization. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate process of working condition with the participatory ergonomic approach and its impact on one of the printing industries.
Methods: This research is an interventional study carried out in one printing industry center. To identify the ergonomic risk factors the “Nordic Questionnaire" and “Ergonomic Review Points” and to evaluate the quality employees’ working life, the NIOSH modified quality of life curriculum was used. The results were by conducting a paired t-test using SPSS20 software package.
Results: The investigation of health, and working conditions using the supplementary checklist before and after applying the review points with participatory ergonomic approach shows a significant increase. Data analysis using the paired t-test showed a significant improvement in quality of working life and reduction of musculoskeletal disorders after intervention (P <0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that the individuals’ social skills and abilities have increased by participation in the process of participatory ergonomics. Increasing the quality of working life has a significant role to improve the health of workers and reduce occupational accidents. Therefore, the implementation of participatory ergonomic program with the collaboration of industrial managers can be an effective step towards achieving human resource satisfaction and health.
Reza Khani Jazani, Mostafa Hasanvand,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize some factors affecting the trainers' satisfaction of Technical and Vocational Training Organization (TVTO) by integrating QFD and Kano models.
Methods: In this study, 435 trainees, aged 18 to 22 years old, were selected to complete the Kano questionnaire through direct communication and interview with the user in one of the centers of technical and vocational education in Tehran, Iran. In this study, Kano model and quality function development (QFD) integration methods were used to improve the design of technical and vocational institutions' workshops ergonomically and based on the needs of users. After completing the Kano questionnaire by these individuals, the responses were analyzed and the results were entered into the house of quality (HOQ) matrix.
Results: The results of the house of quality (HOQ) matrix in this study showed that design and safe application factor, as one of the most important safety features, had a weight coefficient of j=7.35. However, the furniture adjusting criterion with a weight coefficient of j= 1.09 had the lowest importance from the user's viewpoint. In addition, the thickness of materials and furniture with an absolute significance of AI=52.1 had no significant relation with ergonomics and comfort.
Conclusion: This results showed that both the Kano model and QFD integration method can be used in identifying and determining the priorities of the product design and work environment from the users' perspective.
Seyed Nader Aghilian, Mohsen Rahami, Houshang Shambayati,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Establishing order depends on different arrangements in many aspects of lif. The fulfillment of order should be along with good policy and developed strategic principles, at the micro level and with the correct, firm and prudence legislation in the institutions and governance. Forensic ergonomics is one of the fields that helps this aim. Today it has become more widely used due to the creation of legal problems in the field of accidents and injuries. Therefore, this study reviews articles about forensic ergonomics and the effect of ideology on it.
Materials & Methods: This is a review study. The English articles published in Pubmed, Scopus, and Google scholar were chosen using keywords such as “forensic ergonomics” and “forensic human factor” without time limit; at least 3 articles were eligible.
Results: In the review section, the results showed that there is an agreement in the definition of forensic ergonomics, but there are very few studies. The results also showed that the use of forensic ergonomics is increasing, and the prospect of this area is positive. In the analytical section, the results also indicated that the review and suggestions for the creation of laws in the field of accidents should be assigned to the judicial system, not the executive or legislative system.
Conclusion: In order to progress in the field of legal ergonomics and to prevent the impact of ideology and politics on legislation, there is a need for further introduction and training of experts in this field and paying attention to the rational and scientific principles.
Bahram Ipaki,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Parkinson’s is a progressive disease of the nervous system that by affecting the body movements, affects patients’ quality of life and makes daily tasks like eating, difficult and time consuming for them. The aim of this study was to improve the comfort situation of Parkinson patient when eating by identifying ergonomic problems, and designing product for this.
Methods: 12 Parkinson’s patients were chosen by simple random sampling method. Data was collected through a translated Interview of the Discomfort Questionnaire section of ErgoFellow Software and direct observation of patients while eating. After the final data analysis and extraction of design guidelines, design ideas were sketched and the final design was formed after AHP evaluation.
Results: Discomfort Questionnaire data (the average rate of 10.6out of 7 (1. 514)) showed that the non-ergonomic posture of hands, fingers, wrists, arms, elbows, neck, upper back (lumber), and shoulders, the discomfort rate while eating, is more intense, compared to other parts of the body . Observations have also shown that in order to near food to patient mouth, occur Non-ergonomic changes in the patient’s posture. Therefore, designing product should be done using anthropometric data.
Conclusion: The results showed that reduction of mouth-to-food distance would reduce discomfort and fatigue for the Parkinson’s patient. Therefore, using anthropometric data, a height-adjustable product was designed and developed that improves the position of the posture and reduces the patient’s discomfort situation during eating food.
Mahboubeh Sadat Rahmanpour, Abbas Ebadi, Aram Tirgar,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The objective of hospital accreditation is to increase the safety and satisfaction of patients and employees, with the contribution of which can be achieved through environmental adaption. The present study aimed to explain the necessity of using ergonomic considerations in the process of hospital accreditation.
Methods: This methodological study was designed in 2018 and simultaneously conducted with the psychometric evaluation and validation of the structural fitness assessment tool of age-friendly hospitals. The determination of the structural components was done by examining the texts and validating the items using the Delphi method. After determining the content validity, classification of items into mandatory or essential sections was made by obtaining at least two thirds and one thirds of the experts votes, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data processing.
Results: The processing of expert opinion about 72 items (content validity) showed that the majority of subjects (55 items equivalent to 76%) were mandatory or essential, with the highest proportion of mandatory cases being made by the gerontologists, and the least architectural experts.
Conclusion: Considering the growth of the elderly population in the country and, on the other hand, the high contribution of the elderly to the treatment centers, and the necessity or basicity of the majority of tool items, the application of ergonomic principles in the accreditations seems necessary.
Zivar Sabaghinejad, Abdolkazem Neisi, Somaye Parvin,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (10-2018)
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Each organization needs to provide an environment that is smooth, tensile, comfortable and affordable with appropriate physical and emotional conditions for each employee, a safe and relaxed working environment, so that they can work best with a sense of job satisfaction. The present study examines the ergonomic conditions of libraries in public universities in Ahwaz and its impact on job satisfaction and librarians.
Methods: This research is descriptive and has been surveyed. The population of the study consisted of 84 librarians of Shahid Chamran Universities and Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences who participated in the study census. To evaluate ergonomic conditions, a questionnaire was extracted from ergotools software, job satisfaction survey from Arenson et al. Scale and job evaluation questionnaire by Faraj Pahloo, Nooshin Fard and Hasanzadeh. Relationships between research variables were investigated using structural equation modeling.
Results: The results showed that there is a direct, positive and significant relationship between ergonomic conditions and job satisfaction, job satisfaction and job performance, and ergonomic conditions and job performance. There is also a positive and significant indirect relationship between ergonomic conditions and job performance due to job satisfaction.
Conclusion: All relationships between the variables examined were confirmed. Therefore, ergonomic conditions are effective both directly and through the job satisfaction of librarians’ job performance. Considering the positive and direct relationship, it can be said that the librarians of the public universities’ libraries of Ahwaz are pleased with better ergonomic conditions and show better job performance.
Mehdi Ganji, Milad Karimi, Behnoush Bahari,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Due to the necessity of the proper driver packaging, setting parameters for the driver to achieve the highest ergonomics of the driver has a great importance. The range of variations in some parameters of the package is wide, and the correct selection of the packaging parameters until to achieve driver’s ergonomics position, requires some tests.
Methods: In this study, using the MINITAB16 software and using these parameters, several driving simulation were performed using the DHM (Digital human modeling) and DOE (Design of experiment) tools. Hence, for the C segment vehicles, the range of all driver’s package parameters, such as seat height, steering angle etc., was extracted using the A2MAC1 site, and was considered as the basis for the input parameter. According to the proposed tests by MINITAB16 software, the driver’s comfort level was evaluated based on the PORTER (1998) criteria.
Results: The seat height and also vertical and horizontal distances of the steering wheel to the accelerator heel point have the greatest impact on the driver’s ergonomics. Also, due to the high correlation between some of the parameters of the package and the ergonomics outputs of the body while driving, predictive equations were presented in this regard.
Conclusion: The results are the optimal model for ergonomic driving position. The most influential parameters of the driver’s package are ergonomically known and using the ANOVA (Analysis of variance), mathematical predictor models were presented.
Zahra Vahedi, Dr Adel Mazlomi, Dr Ali Sharifnezhad, Dr Kamal Azam,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In the last decade, the smartphones have become one of the most popular technologies around the world. Due to the multi-functional use of smartphones, the technology users spend long hours using it.
Methods: This was a semi-experimental and experimental study. In the first section, 98 students entered the semi-experimental part and completed demographic and body map questionnaires before starting the study. They were asked to perform their duties with their phone for 20 minutes and then complete the body map questionnaire again. In the second part of this study, 12 women from the first group participated in the experimental study to assess the neck flexion using the motion capture. SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Searching the Internet and sending texts were the most common tasks among the participants in this study. The use of cell phone caused an increase in pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder, thumb, thenar. The results of the study showed that there is a significant association between sitting posture and high level of neck forward flexion. Furthermore, neck flexion increased during typing while both hands holding the handset.
Conclusion: Smartphone users have had repetitive motions in fixed postures for a long time, and these factors are thought to increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders.
Iraj Alimohammad, Reza Pourbabaki, Kazem Rahmani, Mehrdad Souri, Fakhradin Ahmadi Kanrash,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Studies have shown the effect of smoking on mental and cognitive performance of the individuals who need to concentrate on their work. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on cognitive performance of the automotive industry workers.
Methods: In this case-control study conducted in 2018, 280 automotive industry workers were selected through the simple random sampling and then assigned to two groups of smokers (100 cases) and non-smokers (180 controls). All the subjects were selected from the environments with the sound levels of 82 to 88 dB. The workers’ cognitive performance was also tested using the CPT, Stroop and Tower of London tests.
Results: The mean age of the case group was 36/02 (3/7) and that of the control group was 36/25 (3/65) years. The results showed that the scores of the TOL test in the case group (smokers) were lower than those of the non-smokers (OR=0/903, P<0.01), and other items of the TOL test had no significant relationship with the individuals’ smoking status (P>0/05). The Stroop and continuous performance tests also had a significant relationship with the individuals’ smoking status in terms of the number of correct responses and the response time as well as interference (P<0.01). Other items had no relationship with the individuals’ smoking status (P>0/05).
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the use of cigarettes and nicotine substances significantly decreased the workers’ mental and intellectual performance, and smokers were more likely to suffer from concentration interference, low brain processing speed in decision-making, and low precision at work, compared to non-smokers.
Fakhradin Ahmadi Kanrash, Iraj Alimohammad, Jamileh Abolaghasemi, Kazem Rahmani,
Volume 7, Issue 1 (5-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Noise pollution is one of the most harmful physical factors in working environments in developed and developing countries, which has significant impacts on the workers’ quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate mental and physiological effects of chronic exposure to noise.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out randomly in 2018 on 250 workers in the automotive Industry. To measure the subjects’ aggression and annoyance levels, the Buss and Perry’s Aggression Questionnaire was used as well as an annoyance questionnaire. In this study, blood pressure measurement was also done using ALPK2 mercuric pressure gauge.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure and noise annoyance in the groups with a lower-than-85 and higher-than-85 dB sound pressure levels (P<0.001). Besides, the results of multivariate regression showed that the annoyance level and sound pressure level had a significant relationship with the workers’ blood pressure (P<0.01). Also, there was a significant correlation between aggression components and sound pressure level (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The results of this study clearly showed that chronic exposure to noise in work environments was associated with psychological and physiological changes, such as increased blood pressure and aggression levels. Hence, implementation of preventive programs can help reduce the incidence of the psychological and physiological disorders.
Mohammad Sadeagh Sohrabi, Neda Mahdavi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the most effective methods for managing ergonomic risk factors in the workplace is to involve employees in identifying and assessing ergonomic risk factors and ultimately designing and implementing interventions by themselves. Therefore, this study aimed to implement a participatory ergonomic program, focusing on the transfer of ergonomic knowledge to employees, and to examine the effects of interventions on the macroeconomic indexes.
Methods: This semi-experimental interventional study was carried out in cooperation with all staff of one of the medical diagnostic laboratories in Isfahan (11 people) in 2017. A participatory ergonomic program was implemented based on the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW) Guide. Then, the differences in the level of macro ergonomic elements such as job satisfaction and increase in motivating potential score of employees were studied before and after the interventions resulting from participatory ergonomic program (OHCOW) in this work environment. The data was analyzed using SPSS 23.
Results: Job satisfaction before and after ergonomic interventions had no significant difference (a relative increase), but in one of the scales, namely organizational climate, there was a significant change (P=0.016). Also, the motivating potential score of employees after the intervention was significantly higher than before (P=0.013).
Conclusion: In this study, participatory ergonomics were used to improve some aspects of macro ergonomic elements. Based on the results of this study, participatory ergonomics can increase some job satisfaction scores and motivating potential score of employees. Finally, it is suggested that allocate a longer duration for intervention utilization.
Ali Arabian, Bahador Makkiabadi, Sadegh Masjoodi, Kamal Azam, Ehsan Ghafari, Ebrahim Torabi Nassaj, Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
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.
Mohammad Ghofrani, Majid Motamedzade, Mohammad Reza Aghaie, Zahra Mohammad Moradi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The statics and actions of people during daily activities plays a major role in the physical and mental health and dynamics of the community. Given that humans deal with different things in a day, it is necessary that they are adapted to his features of body. The main goal of this study is to design and construct tables and ergonomic chairs for cartography, in accordance with the physical dimensions of students.
Methods: In this research, one of the most used educational furniture, namely cartographic table and chairs, has been studied. After examining the satisfaction of this furniture, for ergonomic review and design in accordance with anthropometric dimensions, physical features of 160 students of art and 40 students of a technical and vocational school were measured. Then data was analyzed by SPSS 18 software.
Results: According to the results, about 70 percent of the students did not feel comfortable with the features of former chair and table, except for the length of the thigh. There was no significant difference between the different educational foundations in the vocational schools and finally, with the help of tonality features, the drawing table and chair were designed which except for the height of the sitting space, in other indices, there was a 100% correlation with the dimensions of the student's body.
Conclusion: In this study, there was a lot of dissatisfaction among students due to the lack of matching these educational materials with their physical dimensions which has caused physical, mental and psychological damage and poor quality of education. At the end of the study, through ergonomic design, matters of satisfaction, sustainability and reduced production costs and also the reasons for students' dissatisfaction with the drawing table and chairs is presented.
Elnaz Rajabi Shameli, Rahman Sheikhhoseini, Shakiba Asadi Melerdi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders are common in students and several causes may be considered for them. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between school furniture dimensions and trunk posture with musculoskeletal disorders in students of the sixth grade of elementary school in Karaj.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 346 boy students in sixth grade of elementary school in Karaj were selected. A flexible ruler was used to measure thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles. A 50-centimeter metal ruler was used to record ergonomic and anthropometric data of the students. Spearman’s correlation test was run to analyze the collected data at the significant level of 0.05.
Results: The results showed that only 18%, 12% and 50% of desk height, seat depth and seat height measures were at normal ergonomic conditions, respectively. A negative significant correlation was observed between seat depth and total Nordic score (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that school furniture dimensions in sixth grade boy students of elementary school in Karaj were not in acceptable condition. So, we suggest that ergonomics standardization of school furniture should be considered to prevent its possible consequences.
Siavash Etemadi Nejad, Seyyed Esmail Hosseininejad, Jamshid Yazdani Charati, Fariba Ghaempanah, Mahmoud Yousefi Chemazkati, Mojtaba Ahmadi, Ali Amani,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sewing is one of the occupations where the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is high. Sewing conditions at the workstation have made tailors face musculoskeletal injuries in various areas of their body, particularly pain in the neck, shoulder, and upper back and even waist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a workstation designed for tailoring considering the results of previous studies on the neck and shoulder muscles of users by electromyography.
Methods: In this interventional analytical study, the activity levels of four superficial neck and shoulder muscles (meridian, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, posterior deltoid) were Electromyographed on 33 participants (male and female) at two new and custom designed workstations.
Results: There was a significant difference in the amount of muscle activity in the new and existing workstations (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the different modes of the new workstation.
Conclusion: All four muscles were less active at the new workstation than the conventional workstation, meaning that the designed workstation was able to reduce neck and shoulder muscle activity during work.
Parisa Hassanzadeh, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Iraj Mohebbi,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Macro Ergonomics is a socio-technical approach that deals with organizational, and work system design, as well as the design of human-machine, human-environment, and human-job interactions. Researches show that workplace macroeconomic’ conditions have undesirable effects on employees’ health, and hospital staff experience high levels of occupational stress and high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relation between macroeconomic’ condition and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders as well as outcomes of job stress among employees of hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and 350 employees who randomly were selected from 5 hospitals participated in this study. Macro-ergonomic, Nordic and job stress outcomes questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Chi-square tests were applied for data analysis.
Results: The findings of the present study indicated that out of 350 participants 217 (62%) were female and 168 were nurses (48%). Their mean age was 36.63 (±8.13) years and their average work experience was 11.53 (±7.65) years. The results of ANOVA test showed that the status of macro-ergonomics was significantly different in hospitals and hospital 1 had favorable condition. The majority of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms were reported in the neck (75.7%), hip, and waist (73.7%). The average score of job stress outcomes for the participants was lower than favorable limit. Macro-ergonomic’ conditions had significant associations with musculoskeletal disorders and job stress’ outcomes.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, macro-ergonomic conditions had significant effects on musculoskeletal disorders and job stress outcomes. Interventional efforts should focus on organization and developing macro-ergonomic training programs to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and job stress and improve job conditions in hospitals.
Farin Khanehshenas, Peymaneh Habibi, Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
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.