S A Zakeriyan, Mr Monazam, Habibi Mohrez , R Soltani Gerdfaramarzi , M Asghari, N Ghaemiyan ,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2012)
Abstract
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the common factors of work-related injuries in the developed and developing countries and this study tries to identify risk factors in this criteria case. This study was aimed to evaluate the nurses', awareness of ergonomic principles of work place, their employment problems and work-related injuries in two Iranian hospitals.
Methods: To perform this study, 335 nursing personnel who fulfilled inclusion to participate were selected from 13 different wards of two hospitals. For data collection, a verified five staged questionnaire was used.
Results: Nurses' awareness of ergonomic principles, working conditions and work-related injuries and problems received 2.93 0.58, 2.23 0.54 and 2.66 0.76 scores out of 5, respectively. According to the obtained average scores, nurses' awareness of safety principles was mediocre and two other indices were scored low and weak.
Conclusion: Therefore it is necessary to adopt comprehensive training programs in order to increase nurses' awareness of ergonomics principles in work places and improve their working conditions.
M Mostaghaci, Mh Davari, F Mollaei, M Salehi, Ah Mehrparvar,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2012)
Abstract
Intruduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common disorders due to ergonomic risk factors. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders in an auto-part manufacturing company in 2010.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 94 welders and operators of an auto-part manufacturing company. The method of sampling was census. We used NMQ and RULA method for evaluation of MSDs and Work postures. Data was analyzed using SPSS (ver. 17).
Results: Mean age of the subjects was 30.44 years (range: 20-56 years). The age group with the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders was 20-29 years (52.1%). Mean employment duration of the subjects was 5.2 years (range: 0-12 years). According to the results of NMQ, 70.2% of the subjects had experienced pain or discomfort in one of the areas of musculoskeletal system. According to RULA method 50.95% of subjects had RULA score=7 which takes place in action level 4. There was a statistically significant relationship between age and employment duration and musculoskeletal disorders (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that musculoskeletal disorders were more frequent in low back. Considering that the action level of 4 was the most frequent one among the workers (50.9%), immediate ergonomic intervention is necessary.
M Asghari , A Omidiyani Doust , E Farvaresh,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2012)
Abstract
Introduction: Injury to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels and soft tissues lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Type of work, the rate of repetition, severity and duration of work are risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. Food plants contain repetitive motions so it is necessary to study the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in this study.
Methods: This study is a descriptive- analytical study to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the one of the food manufacturing plans. Therefore, 200 workers in this industry were examined. In order to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms Nordic questionnaire was used and to identify different body parts affected, body map questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS (Ver. 18).
Results: The most common symptoms of patients were related to low back. Chi square test showed a significant relationship between sex and prevalence of symptoms in the areas of back, shoulder and
elbow of workers during the past 12 months (P <0.05). But in the neck, thighs, knees and feet we did not
see any significant difference.
Conclusion: Sex is a risk factor for development musculoskeletal disorders, so as the prevalence of symptoms in women was more than men.
Dr M Karimi,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (2-2012)
Abstract
M Khandan, M Maghsoudipour , Sh Vosoughi,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (10-2012)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate ergonomic behaviors and to determine the importance of each ergonomic behavior in an Iranian petrochemical company. This study was conducted in Khuzestan petrochemical company, which is located in the south of Iran, in 2010.
Methods: The methodology was based on the Ergonomic Behavior Sampling (EBS), and by entropy. After specifying the non-ergonomic behaviors and with reference to the results of a pilot study, a sample of 1755 was determined, with a sampling accuracy of 5% and confidence level of 95%, however, in order to have more confidence, 2631 observations were done.
Results: The results indicated that 43.6% of workers' behaviors were unsafe. The most frequent
non- ergonomic behaviors were using of legs for load lifting (83%). The highest and lowest weights, which are obtained by entropy, belong to load carrying with correct weight behavior and neck posture behavior with weight of 0.370 and 0.0052, respectively.
Conclusion: Taking into account catastrophic consequences of accidents in petrochemical industry, the results show the importance of paying attention to safety principles and to develop a positive attitude among employees toward safety
Seyed Abbas Hasani, Hossein Mobaraki, Zeinab Moghadami Fard,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2-2013)
Abstract
Nasrin Sadeghi, Maryam Askarimoghaddam, Hossein Rahdar, Hamidreza Tolide-Ie ,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: Improper body positions such as kneeling, bending and twisting during saffron harvest, cause skeletal disorders. Low levels awareness about the true position of the body during work, is one of the problems of saffron workers. The purpose of this study, was training the correct body position in saffron pickers during work.
Methods: This is a semi experimental study. Ssubjects were 30 saffron pickers who were selected by simple sampling method. Devices includes: educational pamphlet, camera and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) chart. Pictures from all postures of the ssubjects during work were taken, and all parts of the body scored upon the REBA method, and calculated after entering codes into tables. After two weeks training about correct work position using pamphlet, the assessment was repeated. Finally, using SPSS (version 16) with Wilcoxon and T-test, the data was analyzed.
Results: REBA assessment showed that the number (percent) people with moderate status (requiring a change in the near future) and those with very poor condition (needs more research and implement changes quickly) before the intervention was 9 (30%) and 21 (70%) changed to 15 (50%) and 15 (50%) respectively. This change was statistically significant. (P=0.003)
Conclusion: This study shows that improper postures of farmers could be changed to better condition. Corrected postures training could be an appropriate interventional method to decrease MSDs risk factors.
Farzane Rahimpoor , Fayaz Saeedi , Ali Fazli, Saber Mohammadi,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: Shift working causing negative effects of physiological, psychological and social life of nurses. Because of impact on patient health status can also influence the general population health. This study reviews the effects of insomnia on public health of nurses in a educational hospital of Babol city.
Methods: In this research as a descriptive, analytical and cross sectional study, 210 nurses are considered. The data was collected from individual questionnaires, General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-28) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaires (PSQI). The collected data was analyzed by Chi square test and Spirman correlation test and Kruskal-Wallis.
Results: and Discussion: Overall findings of our research showed that general health of 36.7 percent of the nurses was desired, 58.1 percent was near the normal and 11.2 percent was poor. Sleep quality status of 34.3 percent of the nurses was good and others (65.7percents) were poor. The relation between sleep quality and public health of nurses was significant (P<0.001) also the relation between sleep quality and night shifts was significant.
Conclusion: According to findings from our research, it seems appropriate policy must be done to improve sleep quality of nurses.
Marziye Abbassinia, Farogh Mohammadian, Mohammadreza Monazam, Somaye Mahmoodkhani , Mahdi Asghari, Navid Ghaemian,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: High levels of fatigue in the workplaces can lead to reduced productivity, and increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Purpose of this study was to assess and compare the fatigue levels among fixed-dayshift and rotating-shift workers of a rolling mills and steel production company in tehran.
Methods: The study included 180 workers with fixed- and rotating-shift schedules. The method involved in our survey data collection was using standard questionnaires by face-to-face surveys.
Results: Results showed that maximum level of fatigue for both groups is 4. Fatigue level between fixed-day shift and rotating-shift workers was statistically significant the degree of fatigue was higher in rotating shift workers. All symptoms associated fatigue in rotating shift workers were more severe than other, and statistically was significant. Comparison between tasks showed the most exhausting task is warehouse.
Conclusion: Results show that level of fatigue is high in the company's personnel, so adopting proactive measures such as reducing working hours, doing regular rest and exercise during working time, paying sufficient attention to humanitarian needs and improving work system can be helpful.
Ali Kermani, Adel Mazloumi, Jebraeel Naslseraji, Fariba Ghasemzadeh,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: Human error is one of the most important issues in the world and studying these errors among medical occupations like physicians and nursing works to find solutions for identifying and controlling them became imperative. Therefore, current study was conducted with the aim of identification and evaluation of human error using SHERPA (Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach) technique among nurses working at the emergency section of an educational hospital in Iran.
Methods: This study was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted using SHERPA method. First, the aim and methodology of the study was explained to the nurses and then the task and subtasks of the nursing activity were determined through interview with the nurses and also by observation of their activities. A job analysis of nursing activity was implemented by HTA (Hierarchical Task Analysis) technique, at the next stage. Finally, the error types for each task and subtasks were determined, based on the SHERPA guideline and, worksheet was finally completed for each of the related error types.
Results: In total, 231 errors were indentified among 65 tasks of the nurses’ clinical activity who worked in the emergency section. The highest percentage of the errors was belonged to the action error with 59.3%, and the rest were 25.55% for checking, 4.33% for retrieval, 2.16% communication, and 8.66% selection errors. Accordingly, the highest percentage of errors was belonged to the action error and the lowest one to communication errors.
Conclusion: According to the findings in this study, action errors (with highest frequency) and checking errors (with highest unacceptable risk level) should be control and prioritized for error reduction program. Meanwhile, SHERPA technique can completely cover medical activities of the nurses and factors such as communication with patient which is not considered in other techniques, can be analyzed using this method.
Mohammadhosein Davari , Amirhoshang Mehrparvar, Mehrdad Mostaghaci , Maryam Bahaloo, Mahnaz Poorshafiee,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (2-2013)
Abstract
Background: shift work may lead to different health problems due to circadian rhythm. The pattern of shift work, forward or backward, and the duration of each shift period may affect complications. This study was designed to assess and compare the health complications of different patterns of shift work in tile industry.
Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted on 203 shift workers in 2011 in two tile industries in Yazd with different patterns of shift work: on group with fore ward and short term pattern (2morning 2afternoon 2night) and the other with backward and long term pattern (2night 2afternoon 2morning). Data was collected by a questionnaire including occupational and health information such as physical examination and biochemical tests.
Results: the frequency of cardiovascular symptoms and hypertension was significantly lower in the first group. The difference in smoking, obesity and abnormal FBS between two groups was not significant. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as dyspepsia, heartburn and constipation were significantly higher in the second group. Joint pain and muscle spasm were significantly lower in the first group.
Conclusion: results show a significant difference in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal symptoms between forward and backward shift work pattern.
, , ,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background : Lack of anthropometric data in designing work stations, tools and equipment, could be resulted in work related injuries. Therefore, creating anthropometric data bank is essential. The aim of this study was to present anthropometric data from Fars workers and also determining the regression equations between these dimensions and stature as a reference dimension.
Method: A total of 539 Fars workers aged 18-60 from factories which are in 3 provinces participated in this descriptive and cross sectional study. Thirty-seven body dimensions were measured in standard positions presented by Kroemer guidelines, and data were analyzed in SPSS version 18. Mann-Whitney test was used in order to compare measured dimensions between men and women. Moreover, in determination of correlation among anthropometric dimensions, Linear Regression analysis was made.
Results: According to the results, the mean stature of women and men were 158/35 (±6/59) and 172/98 (±6/69) respectively. In relation to stature and other body dimensions, a significant difference were observed between men and women (P value 0<0/05). According to the Linear Regressions analysis, heights of eye, shoulder and elbow in standing positions and grip reach in standing position were significantly correlated with stature (P value 0<0/01).
Conclusion: Significant differences were observed between women and men body dimensions. Furthermore, comparison of stature in the present study with other similar studies has shown a difference that may be due to differences in ethnicity of selected samples. Furthermore, the estimated regression equations can be used in predicting some of the anthropometric dimensions.
Farahnaz Dastranj, Faramarz Helali, Abolfazl Barkhordari, Amir Houshang Mehrparvar, Mahmoud Mahmoudi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2013)
Abstract
Background: Access of organizations to ergonomics, especially in developing countries is difficult. Therefore development of knowledge for application of ergonomics in job modification and productivity is necessary. It is fundamental for industries in such developing countries as Iran, in which there is need for applied research on action learning. Ergonomic interventions are among the methods for reducing ergonomic exposures. Participatory ergonomics as a new intervention in the workplaces is increasingly being used. This study was designed to use ILO ergonomic checkpoints to detect the proper trend of safety, health, and work conditions for comparison of safety, health and workplace situation by a participatory ergonomics approach.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive–analytic study conducted in a pharmaceutical industry. At first safety, health and work conditions was assessed by an industrial hygienist and then by a participatory ergonomics approach 60 subjects were assessed in technical sessions by ILO ergonomics checkpoint.
Results: The scores of different branches (i.e. safety, hygiene, health and work conditions) resulted from checkpoints completed before and after the application of checklists with participatory ergonomics approach and action learning showed that for one unit increase in each score before intervention, the score after intervention was increased 0.3 which was statistically significant.
Conclusion: According to the results of theoretical and experimental documents, technical and social skills and capabilities of subjects will increase after application of a participatory ergonomics process and will create reliability and motivation for involvement, participation and cooperation in order to solve the problems of safety, hygiene, health and work conditions
Sayed Mohammad Jafari, Babak Fazli, Marzieh Nurani, Zahra Sharifpoor, Raziyeh Soltani Gerdfaramarzi,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2013)
Abstract
Background: Sawing job is one of the occupations that have high work-related musculoskeletal disorders prevalence because of repetitive tasks. The current study aimed to determine work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factor of this disorder in YAZD city tailors.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we take film from working process and worker’s postures, each task were assigned a posture score using RULA method. Face to face ergonomic training was done for each worker. After intervention, worker’s postures evaluation was done again. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests (Wilcoxone and Kruskal-Wallis) were used.
Results: The result showed that the highest final posture score and action level in tailor workstations were 7 and 4 respectively. Significant differences were shown in the final score postures in four tasks (Sewing, Cutting, Ironing and Button sewing). After ergonomic training, re-evaluation of body posture had done and RULA score was decrease in two tasks, cutting and Sewing buttons.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that ergonomic training on body position tailors in Sewing and button Sewing work station is effective
S Safari, E Habibi, H Dehghan, B Mahaki, A Hassanzadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background: Job stress is one of the basic problems in industrial that can underlie a number of problems such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal diseases, early retirement to employees. On the other hand early retirement from workplace has increased, is one of the problems of today's industries. Hereof, improving work ability is one of the most effective ways to enhance the ability and preventing disability and early retirement. The aim of This study is determine the relationship between job stress score, work ability and educational level in refinery workers.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 171 workers in refinery who were working in different occupational groups participated. Based on appropriate assignment sampling, 33 office workers, 69 operational workers, and 69 maintenance workers, respectively, were invited to participate in this study. Two questionnaires including work related-stress and WAI were filled in. Finally, the information was analyzed using the SPSS-20 and statistic tests namely, Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA and t-test.
Results: Analysis showed that 86% and 14% participants had extreme and moderate stress, respectively. Average score of stress and standard deviation was 158.7±17.3 that was in extreme stress range. Average score and standard deviation of WAI questionnaire were 37.18 and 3.86 respectively. That placed in a good range. Pearson correlation coefficient showed that WAI score had significant reversed relationship with a score of stress.
Conclusion: Stress is one of the most important factors that influence the ability of employees, so learning to cope with stress in order to maintain and enhance the ability of staff is recommend.
N Mahdavi, M Motamedzade, Aa Jamshidi, A Moghimbeigi, R Heidari Moghaddam ,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background: Nearly 8.5 million of employees in Iran are carpet-weavers and musculoskeletal disorders especially in their shoulder region are prevalent. As regards muscle fatigue is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders its reduction may improve health promotion among the weavers and also lead to improved quality and quantity of this national product. Muscle fatigue manifestations in electromyography are mean power frequency decrease and root mean square increase in time. This study aimed to assess muscle fatigue in the upper trapezious of carpet-weavers.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 carpet-weavers (9 females, 3 males) were selected. During 210 minutes carpet weaving, data were collected via surface electromyography and body part discomfort rate scale. Electromyography parameters and body part discomfort rate scale were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA (sex and experiences as independent variable).
Results: During 210 minutes carpet weaving, mean power frequency in right and left upper trapezius decreased and P-value=0.002 and P-value=0.001 was significant respectively, but root mean square and body part discomfort rate changes were not significant.
Conclusion: Assessment of objective and subjective development of muscle fatigue, showed significant decrease in mean power frequency, but root mean square and body part discomfort rate have not significant changes. No obvious significant correlation was found between objective and subjective muscle fatigue assessments.
A Mazloumi, A Kermani, J Naslseraji, F Ghasemzadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background: Human error is the cause of many serious accidents in the world. In medical jobs, it causes the patients to get much worse or lost their life. Therefore, current study was conducted to identify and evaluate human error among physicians working at emergency ward using Systematic Human Error and Reduction Prediction Approach (SHERPA) technique in an educational hospital in Semnan, Iran.
Methods: This study was conducted using SHERPA method. First, the aim and methodology of the study was described to the physicians and then a job analysis of physicians was implemented by Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) method. At the next phase, kinds of errors for each task and subtasks were indentified, applying SHERPA checklist. Finally, worksheet was completed for each of them.
Results: In total, 35 tasks and 128 errors were indentified in the physicians’ clinical activity at emergency ward. The highest percentage of the errors was belonged to the “Action error” while, the “Selection error” were in lowest level. About 1.56% of the errors were in an unacceptable level and all were as retrieval errors, 53.13% of errors were in undesirable risk level and mostly recovery error types. The highest percentage of errors was undesirable while the lowest one was related to the unacceptable errors.
Conclusion: According to the findings in this study, most of the medical errors of its related task and subtask were indentified and evaluated and then remedy actions was proposed for error reduction and control
Sa Zakeriyan, M Abbassinia, R Soltani Gerdefaramarzi , M Asghari,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (12-2013)
Abstract
Background: People spend many times a day at work and they mostly do their work using computer. Today, computers are an integral part of the workplace, especially in office environments. The purpose of present study is to explore visual discomfort among office staff of Tehran university of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study and was done in 2012. Sample size was determined 150 people by simple random sampling. Data collection methods in our study were two questionnaires including demographic information questionnaire and Conlon questionnaire that is applied for measuring visual discomfort. Using SPSS.18, descriptive statistics (like frequency counts, percentage distributions) and inferential statistics like Pearson correlation coefficient, student's T-test and variance analysis were done for data analysis.
Results: Results showed that 70% of subjects had the medium visual discomfort. It was found a significant correlation between visual discomfort and age and work experience (Pearson test: r=0.181 and Pvalue=0.042) and also there was a statistically significant relationship between visual discomfort and sex and education level (chi- square test: Pvalue=0.025).
Conclusion: it is obvious that working with computer affected on visual comfort of office staff and it leaded to decrease visual comfort among them. Hence it is necessary for prevention of visual discomfort or/and exacerbating visual impairments to improve the lighting systems and teach the correct procedures of working with computer.
E Ghazanchaeie, Gh Nabi Bid Hendi, H Hoveidi, Mj Amiri,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (3-2014)
Abstract
Mohammad Moghiseh, Ehsan Habibi, Akbar Hasanzadeh, Mohammad Kazem Khorvash, Nahal Aramesh, Amir Hossein Poorrahmatian,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background: The importance of ergonomics is to create fit between work and human physiology using assessment methods of physical, physiological and subjective evaluation. The most commonly used tool for assessment of subjective symptoms is Borg scale during physical work and heart rate in physiological situations. This study is based on a subjective and physiological assessment during hard work in one of the metal industry in Isfahan.
Method: In this study, 200 male workers have entered voluntarily according to the Strand study protocol and were evaluated by ergometer. Subjects were asked to report Borg scale at the end of each minute pricing during the experiment, and the heart rate at the end of each minute was recorded by the device.
Result: There was a very strong correlation between the perceived intensity of effort as a subjective factor and ergometer increased workload (R^2= 0/91),(P<0.0001). Heart rate as a physiological factor associated with an increased workload and stiffness (R^2=0/96),(P<0.0001). Linear regression analysis of the relationship between perceived effort and workload was as equation Workload= 126.54 - 4.45 (RPE) and linear regression analysis of the relationship between heart rate and physical workload was as equation Workload= 125.89 – 0.54 (HR). In other words, the physical workload and heart rate has a more significant relationship than rating of perceived exertion with physical workload.
Consequences: With a developed regression equation without any laboratory facilities, the workload of physical work is easily measurable. The physical working ability could be estimated based on measuring heart rate during work, or on the basis of changes in perceived physical ability and mental labor monitoring, so the required periodic checkups, education, etc. could be done.
