Tibbi-i-kar

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Abstract Background: Tile workers are exposed to a lot of dusts and are susceptible to various pulmonary complications. This study was designed to evaluate the respiratory symptoms and lung capacities of tile workers. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross sectional study on 350 workers in different factory workshops. We assessed respiratory complaints and pulmonary function tests. Data were analyzed by SPSS using T-Test and ANOVA. Results: Among respiratory complaint, dyspnea was the most frequent(22.9%), and cough(13.1%) and sputum production(5.4%) were in the 2nd and 3rd orders. There was a significant relationship between dyspnea and reduction in spirometric indices(P< 0.05),and there was a significant relationship between respiratory complaint and job title, frequency of respiratory symptoms were higher among foundry workers. Conclusion: It is clear that occupational exposures affect pulmonary function, performing pulmonary function tests may show lung term effect of these exposures.

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Abstract Background: Safety culture is one of a number of ideas currently seen as having the potential to move organizations to higher standards of safety. The present study examined the impact of events on the culture safety in the workers of Textile industry. Methods: In this case- control study data collected using questionnaire. In the questionnaire, 75 questions were multiple choices (Standard Safety Culture Questionnaire) and six questions were related to the accident (Accidents questionnaire).The collected data were then coded into the SPSS software. Results: In this study the most common cause of occupational accidents is indiscretion (53%) and most of the accident has been cut (38%). The relationship between negative and positive safety culture with a history of accident was significant (P<0.05) but Age, work experience and education in case and control groups were not significantly associated with safety culture. Conclusion: Occupational accidents are the main factors threatening the human resources in organizations. One way to prevent major accidents is creating and reinforces a culture of safety. Senior managers play a major role of building culture and accelerating this. Accordingly, first, it is necessary for managers and administrators of work to have real belief to safe working until the culture being established in organization.

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Abstract Background: Noise-induced hearing loss is on of the most important disease which may lead to some disturbances in workers' safety and performance. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of hearing loss among the workers of a uranium mine in the central region of Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Measurements were performed in A-weighting scale in response to fast detector. Frequency of hearing loss in left and right ears were assessed in 150 workers. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: Mean age and duration of employment of the subjects was 33.68±7.56 years and 8.08±5.30 years, respectively. Pearson's correlation test showed a significant relationship between hearing loss at frequencies of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz with age and duration of employment (p<0.05). Hearing loss is increased by increasing age and duration of employment. Considering employment duration to be constant, hearing loss was averagely increased 0.52 for each unit increase in age and considering age to be constant, hearing loss was averagely increased 0.2 for each unit increase in employment duration. Conclusion: This study didn't show a significant hearing loss among the workers because 39.3% of workers were young and 32.7% were office workers without significant exposure to noise but there was a positive correlation between total hearing loss and age and employment duration. Age was more effective on hearing loss than employment duration.

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Background: The terms Reactive Oxygen Intermediates or Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are used to describe the molecules as highly reactive oxygen molecules that will chemically oxidize neighboring susceptible molecules. A prominent feature of radicals is that they have extremely high chemical reactivity, which explains not only their normal biological activities, but how they inflict damage on cells. The free radical formation in a living system leads to oxidative damage of macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins and lipids. Oxidative stress is defined most simply as the imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s antioxidants. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence for an association between exposure to xenobiotics such as ambient polluted air particles, pesticides, metals, radiation and oxidative stress. Methods: Bibliographic databases including Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched between years 1960 to 2012 for the keywords "Oxidative stress" and jobs. In the first step, 17987 articles were found, after elimination of duplicates or irrelevant papers, 60 papers were selected and reviewed. Results: Sixty articles in this study have been used. Findings showed the relationship between jobs and oxidative stress. Conclusion: This review indicates that workers in various jobs are exposed to more oxidative stress damage. To overcome these oxidative stresses, supplementation with antioxidant vitamins, such as α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, may have beneficial effects in these workers. It is reported that supplementation with antioxidants, protect against oxidative damage. Also, these workers need better precautions to protect them against serious health problem.

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Background: Because most of the work-related injuries are caused due to the unsafe perceptions and behaviors, thus, it is necessary to do research in these areas. This study aimed to evaluate perceptions of workers to safety culture in roller and steel parts production factory based on the health belief model (HBM). Methods: This is an analytical-descriptive, applied and cross-sectional study. Community research was included all workers working in roller and steel parts production factory which 170 of them were selected by the help of statistical consultant. After having questionnaire prepared, which was covered benefits, barriers, perceived severity and sensitivity from safety and most important guidelines, its validity and reliability was certified. Then, considering sample size, data gathered by questionnaire were entered to databases and were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Considering education, most of the studied population (63.5%) had under diploma degree and most of them were between 23 to 28 years old (62%). Furthermore, 70% of studied population was married and 40.6% had working experiences between 3 to 5 years old. Moreover, 64.7 and 22.4% of studied workers had average and good perceptions regarding safety. Most of the workers (35.3%) were working in melting unit. Also 65.9% mentioned that have had injuries during the work. Further more, according to the Chi-square test there was a relationship between HBM dimensions such as perceived sensitivity with job, working unit, work-related injuries. Conclusion: Studied workers had relatively good knowledge and perception regarding safety. Since workers are of those vulnerable groups in working environments, therefore, implementing educational and interventional programs using HBM or other educational models are recommended to improve their knowledge regarding safety principles.

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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.

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Background: Health promoting activities (Lifestyle) is an indicator of the health of the bilateral relationship between physical and mental health and can be used as a predictor of mental health. It also aimed at comparing their different lifestyles. Methods: Using random sampling, 400 office staff and workers in Yazd were selected to participate in this descriptive analytical study. A questionnaire used to collect data included two sections: demographic section and standard questionnaire of HPLP II to evaluate lifestyle. The demographic characteristics and lifestyle of different levels by HPLP II: The difference between life style and 6 subscales in office staff and labor were three levels. Data analysis were done using SPSS program for windows (v. 16) by conducting several statistical operations such as t-test, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression. Results: It was indicated that there were significant difference in lifestyle and its six subcategories comparing workers. Concerning both groups, the highest among these subcategories belonged to spiritual growth and interpersonal relations and the lowest scores belonged to physical activities, different social, economic and cultural impact on the lifestyle of employees. Conclusion: In spite of the increase in blue collar workers’ wages, it seems that besides workplace, the social, economic, and cultural differences affect the differences in lifestyles of white collar and blue collar workers.

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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.

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Background: Asphalt workers are exposed to dangerous agents in his workplace that might result in occupational diseases. Benzo (a) pyrene as a human carcinogen, is emission from hot asphalt and asphalt workers are exposed with it. The aim of this study was, evaluation of respiratory exposure to benzo (a) pyrene among asphalt workers. Method: In this study, 42 samples were collected from breathing zone of asphalt workers under supervision of Tehran Municipality. The samples were taken by sorbent tube and filter connected to a personal sampling pump. Analysis of samples were done by HPLC – UV. Result: The results indicated that, of 42 samples, 71 percent equivalent to 30 samples, benzo (a) pyrene were detected. Screedman among all jobs has the highest concentration with a mean and standard deviation of 38.83 and 17.74 respectively. No benzo (a) pyrene was detected in oil man task in any of the samples. Scheffe test showed that screedman and roller driver have significant differences (0.03). Conclusion: Result have shown that the concentration of benzo (a) pyrene was the most and least at screed man and roller driver jobs respectively. In addition occupational exposure to benzo (a) pyrene is lower than Threshold Limit Value by related organizations.

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Background: Occupational flour inhalation has been a culprit in commence of several pulmonary maladies, such as asthma. The flour particle is one of the most important factors which can cause occupational chronic respiratory disorders. We examined the relationship of occupational wheat flour inhalation in bakery and supermarket employees with pulmonary function, respiratory symptoms, and sputum eosinophilia for determining hyper-responsiveness. Methods: 110 subjects from traditional bakeries and 137 subjects from supermarket employees were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Iran. Flour exposure concentrations, respiratory signs, sputum analysis, and respiratory volumes and capacities were measured based on the standard methods. Independent sample t-test was applied for analyses. Results: Respirable concentration of flour in the bakery workers was two to four-fold of ACGIH’s threshold limit value in which bread-bakers with 2.2 mg/m3 experienced maximum exposures among all job titles in the bakeries. The supermarket employees had not exposure to flour dust. The respiratory volumes in both bakery and supermarket employees were in the normal range. However, the median of voluminal percentage in bakery workers except forced vital capacity was reduced (p < 0.001). The mean respiratory volume of bread-bakers was reduced compared with supermarket employees (p < 0.05). In addition, we observed increased respiratory symptoms in the bakery workers, again more prevalent in the bread-bakers. There was a significant correlation between flour exposure concentration and sputum eosinophilia in which the percentage of eosinophilia in the bread-bakers was more than other bakery and supermarket employees. Albeit there were reductions in the respiratory volumes, results indicate no obstructive spirometric pattern. Conclusion: Noteworthy, sputum eosinophilia might be a suitable screening method to detect airway hyper-responsiveness in workers exposed to known asthmogens.

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Introduction: The aim of this study was evaluating oxidative stress biomarkers in workers in ceramic and glazed tiles industry. These workers are exposed to various kinds of occupational harmful agents especially metal oxides including silicon, lead, aluminum, chromium, cobalt, titanium, zinc, cadmium oxides and other harmful elements such as sound, infrared radiation, radon gas and heat stress. The present study was carried out to assess exposure effects of heavy metals on oxidant and antioxidant status which may induce related health hazards and occupational diseases. Methods: The present study is an analytical study (case-control). 40 male ceramic industry workers and 39 male employees who were not exposed to harmful as a control group were included in the study. In both groups blood samples were obtained. In these blood samples, lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant power (TAC) , total thiol groups (TTG) and catalase activity (CAT) were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 20. Results: The results expressed as Mean SD showed induction of oxidative stress in workers as revealed by increased plasma LPO (1.46 0.559 vs 1.15 0.658, nmol/ml P = 0.031), CAT (10.273 15.309, 4.817 4.407 vs U/ml P = 0.035). TAC (550.88 104.47 vs 807.23 138.52 µmol/ml P = 0.000) and TTG (0.388 0.058 vs 0.423 0.095, nmol/ml P = 0.028) in comparison to those of controls. Conclusion: It is concluded ceramic workers have elevated LPO level, CAT activity and decreased TAC and TTG. These results indicate that long exposure to heavy metals leads to induction of activity of anti-oxidant enzyme and in general leads to increase in oxidative stress of ceramic industry workers

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Introduction: methyl diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is one of the most commonly iisocyanate used in the foam manufacturing companies. The aim of this study is to evaluat iisocyanate (MDI) effects on the pulmonary capacities of workers by examining the results of workers spirometers in foam.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Sampling was conducted through census company method. In order to investigate the changes of respiratory capacity in the workers. The information of the medical workers records and the spirometry test results in different two years were determined as well as the level of air pollution in the production units using sampling method using descriptive statistics, paired T-test and linear regression analysis, the data were analyzed.

Result: The level of air pollution in the production line of cold foams, and the viscose hall, unit L90 was higher than the maximum allowable (51 microgram/m³). The results of evaluation the respiratory capacity in some workers that expose to MDI, according to work experience more than 3 years, showed that the respiratory capacity of spirometry in 2012 was decreased compared to 2010 (p<0/05). The studied respiratory capacity (FEV1/ FVC) indicated the reduction in these during 2010 to 2012 parameters and on average, FEV1(15.60%) and FVC (9.7%) was reduced.

Conclusion: With increasing the work experience and increasing the duration of exposure to combinations of MDI, workers, respiratory capacity will have been declining and in the long term it might have uncontrollable conditions.

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Abstract
Background and purpose: Particulate matter air pollution is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. By increasing the number of tile and ceramic industries in the two past decades, workers in these industries exposed to pathogenic respirable particulate matter pollutants. Therefore, this study aimed to assess respiratory exposure to airborne particles in a tile and ceramic factory was done.
Materials and methods: In This observational study, sampling from Respiratory zone of 93 workers in a tile and ceramic industry for both respirable and inhalable particles were performed. Sampling of inhalable particle based on NIOSH_0500 protocol and respirable particles based on NIOSH_0600 was conducted. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software.
Results: 92.47 percent of Workers were exposed to respirable particles less than TLV and 39.8 percent of them were exposed to inhalable particles more than TLV. The maximum concentration of respirable particles 13.04 mg/m³ and inhalable particles 84.88 mg/m³ in respectively reported for crusher unit. The lowest concentration of respirable (0.41 mg/m³) and inhalable (min =1.74 mg/m³) particles were observed in coating line workers division.
Conclusion: Since the workers are exposed to concentrations more than threshold limit value of respirable particles, and especially inhalable particles in some units, appropriate control measures must be considered to prevent possible consequences.

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Background: The Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) is one of the emerging posture assessment methods for the office workers. Limited studies have examined the validity of this method for the reliable assessment of the ergonomics risk factors among the office workers. The aim of this study was to investigating the relationship between the ROSA with anthropometric dimensions, knowledge and behavior of the office workers in an Oil and Gas Company in Iran.  
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an oil company during 2016. In all 259 office employees, worked on the central headquarter and operational offices, completed the General Nordic Questionnaire, knowledge and behavior questionnaires. Then the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) and anthropometric dimension measurement were conducted for the participants. Data analysis was conducted by using frequency, mean and standard deviation, compare mean and Pearson correlation tests by applying SPSS software (version 22).
Results: The results showed that by increasing employees's ergonomic knowledge and behavior, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders decreased (P<0.01). In addition, by reducing employees's stress,  time duration using mobile phones, monitors height and ROSA score,  the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders decreased (P<0.01). Among the individual, job and workplace characteristics, some variables includin height, weight, age, BMI, gender, work rogation, computer work, and work experience, had a significant correlation with the ROSA scores (P<0.01).
Conclusion: ROSA score along with other individual, workplace and work-related factors can be applied to assess the ergonomic risk factors in the office workplaces.

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Introduction: Upper limbs are more susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders. The OCRA method is suggested to measure the biomechanical risk of the associated with the manual, repetitive work in upper limbs. Questionnaires can be used to measure the symptoms of diseases and disabilities. The DASH questionnaire is one of these questionnaires that are used to evaluate disability of upper limbs. In this study attempted to evaluate the biomechanical risk factor and relationship with disability of the upper limbs in assembly workers.
Method: The study was a descriptive – analytic and cross-sectional one being and was carried out among 120 female assembly workers. For the measurement of biomechanical risk factor and disability of the upper limbs have been used The OCRA method and Iranian version of DASH, respectively. Data analysis was carried out by using SPSS 20. It is noteworthy to mention that P value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: in this study, assembly workers were in terms of risk factors of biomechanics and upper limb disability in low risk and low disability, respectively. Also, the relationship between biomechanical risk factor and disability of upper limbs, was significant and direct (P value <0.05).
Conclusion: Since the relationship between biomechanical risk factor and disability of upper limbs, was significant and direct, it can be concluded that musculoskeletal disorders due to inappropriate working conditions can lead to motor limitation and upper limb disability at different levels.

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Introduction: Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is high among office workers. One of the most important risk factors of these disorders is awkward posture and inappropriate environmental conditions. So, this study was carried out to determine frequency of MSD_S and its related risk factors among the office workers of Minab city healthcare centers in 2018.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 staff in Minab city health care centers. Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire was applied to determine the prevalence of MSDs and Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method was used for posture analysis. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Excel software was used to plot the graph.

Results: The highest prevalence rates of MSDs were reported in low back (63.5%), neck (51.9%) and upper back (50%). There was no significant difference between MSDs and age, sex and BMI (P˃0.05) but there was a significant relationship with work experience (P˂0.05). Totally, 36.6% of employees were placed in the first priority of corrective actions (i.e. the need for ergonomic interventions as soon as possible). There was a significant correlation between awkward posture and neck pain (P <0.05).

Conclusion: The frequency of MSD_S in health center office workers was high and neck pain was related to awkward posture.
 

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Introduction: Inhalation of dust particles is prone to chronic diseases, and regular exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and improves blood variables. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on blood factors, lipid profile, and liver enzymes in tile factory workers.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. 70 workers who were eligible to participate in the study were selected based on the sampling method available at the workplace. According to the Beck questionnaire, 15 people were included in each active and inactive groups. After 12 hours of worker's last meal, 10 ml of venous blood was used to evaluate biochemical variables of Blood factors (RBC, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, WBC), lipid profile (Cholesterol, Triglyceride). Liver enzyme (ALT, AST, ALP) tests of both groups were performed in the occupational medicine laboratory of Meybod city, and SPSS Ver.23 software was used for analysis.
Results: The results showed that red blood cells (p = 0.003) and hemoglobin (p = 0.034) in the active group were significantly higher than the inactive group. Also triglyceride (p = 0.025) and cholesterol (p = 0.042) of liver enzymes, (p = 0.011) ALT and AST (p = 0.047) were significantly lower.
Conclusion: It seems that physical activity can have a positive effect; it can improve blood factors, liver enzymes, and fat profile in workers. According to the results, tile factory workers can achieve the desired blood factors with minimal physical activity.

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Introduction: noise is one of the most important harmful factors in the workplace. The physiological effects of noise on humans are gradual in the long run. Despite industrial advances, exposure to excessive noise is one of the health problems of workers in the world's steel industry. This study aimed to investigate the effect of noise on hearing loss in steel industry workers.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was designed and conducted. The study population was 121 workers in a steel rolling industry whose 5-year audiometry was studied from 1391 to 1395. An audiometer performed the audiometric test of these workers in 5 years. Their audiometric results were extracted from their medical records and examined under ethical principles. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21, and T-Test and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The mean age of participants was 38.88 ± 4.92 years and the mean work experience was 10.94 ± 3.57 years. In this study, a gradual increase in the average hearing threshold at different frequencies in both ears was seen from 2012 to 2016.
Conclusion: noise as a detrimental factor in the steel industry causes a gradual increase in exposed workers' hearing threshold.
 

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Introduction: Shift work is an occupational stressor that influences some workforce. The present study examined shift work disorders among people who work in Hamadan Glass Factory.
Materials and Methods: Participants included 210 workers (130 shift workers and 80 day-workers) of Hamadan Glass Factory. The survey of shift workers (SOS) was used to collect information on respondents’ demographic background, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, psychological disorders, sleep-related problems, musculoskeletal disorders, and adverse effects of shift work on individual, family, and social life. Other information was obtained by studying participating workers’ medical records in the same year. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.
Results: The results indicated significant relationships between shift work and variables such as sleeplessness, sleep quality and quantity, stomachache, and diet. Concerning background variables (age, work experience, and marital status), the results of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant relationship between age and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, the results of the Fisher test demonstrated a significant association between work experience and social problems; but none of these background variables were connected with sleep disorders. Considering the effect of shift work (morning, evening, and night) on personal, family, social life, and alertness, chi-square results revealed significance among the three shift-work types. Incidence was higher in night shifts than in morning and evening shifts.
Conclusion: The findings showed that shift work is more likely to lead to sleep disorders and gastrointestinal diseases, risk of diabetes, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders than day-work. Shift workers encounter more social problems than novice shift workers. 

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Introduction: Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has adverse health effects on blood parameters. About 80% of lead produced is used in batteries, especially vehicle batteries. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the hematological changes, including total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts in battery workers exposed to lead, and compare with the non-exposed group.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a battery industry in Semnan city. The study population consisted of 78 battery workers and 78 healthy non-exposed office workers. A hematology cell counter was used to determine the total, and differential WBC counts. Blood lead level was measured in accordance with the NIOSH method 8003.
Results: Blood lead levels were about two times higher than the TLV recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) for this compound (20 µg/dl). The level of WBC (8.07± 2.55 mm³ blood×10³ vs. 7.27 ± 1.58 mm³ blood×10³) was significantly higher, while the level of monocyte was significantly lower (6.96 ± 1.72 % vs. 7.67 ± 1.87 %) in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group. After adjustment for potential confounders such as age and work history, a significant association between exposure to lead and WBC and monocyte levels was reported.
Conclusion: The present study's findings indicated that exposure to lead was associated with total and differential white blood cells changes in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group.