Archives of Occupational Health

Indoor Environmental Quality, Climate Change, and Life Quality

Rohollah Fallah Madvari — 2023-12-05

The Article Abstract is not available.

Domino Effects in Process Industries

Fereydoon Laal — 2023-12-05

The Article Abstract is not available.

The Relationship between the Environmental Noise Intensity, Feeling and Annoyance with the Shiftwork in the Emergency Department

Farhanaz Khajeh Nasiri — 2023-12-05

Background: Noise pollution is a serious issue in hospitals, especially in emergency departments where high noise levels from emergency patients and treatments can negatively affect medical personnel and patients. This study aimed to measure noise levels during day and night shifts in three major hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Imam Khomeini, Shariati, and Sina hospitals) and investigate the level of annoyance experienced by medical staff.

Methods: In this cross-sectional studyTES-1351B sound level meter was used to measure sound pressure levels and the measurement stations were determined according to ISO 9612 standard. A general questionnaire was used to determine demographic characteristics. Also, by a valid self-reporting questionnaire, the feeling about environmental noise intensity and noise annoyance was measured. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS software using ANOVA and t-test.

Results: The average sound pressure level in the emergency departments of the studied hospitals was 67.940±7.70 dB. Significant differences were found between morning and evening shift noise levels. (p-value=0.001). The highest average sound pressure level occurred during the evening shift with an average of 72.382±4.35 db. Also, there was a significant difference between the feeling about environmental noise intensity and noise annoyance in Imam Khomeini and Sinai hospitals respectively, (p-value=0.037) (p-value=0.011).

Conclusion: The study concludes that noise pollution in the emergency departments of these hospitals needs attention. Implementing administrative and technical-engineering measures to reduce noise pollution is essential to enhance the well-being of medical staff and patients and ensure a more satisfactory healthcare environment.

Hand dermatitis, Prevalence and Risk Factors among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19

Omolbanin Motamedrezaei — 2023-12-05

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) need to perform new preventive measures to protect themselves and patients against ongoing COVID-19 transmission, which can increase hand dermatitis (HD) among them. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of HD among HCWs and its possible risk factors in IRAN.

Methods: A survey of 159 HCWS working in university hospitals was performed from August to September 2020 in a cross-sectional study. Research data were collected via standardized self-administered questionnaire. The history of HD was determined via standardized Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002).

Results: The prevalence of HD in the study population was 51.6%. A significant association was found between the prevalence of HD among HCWs and sex, age, working hours per week, and wearing gloves (P<0.05). Females had a 3.84 fold higher risk of HD than males (confidence interval (CI): 1.85-8). HCWs older than 40 and those who aged 30-39 had a 9.6 and 1.72 fold higher risk of HD than those aged 20-29 (CI: 2.6-35.7; CI: 0.87-3.4, respectively).

Conclusion: Possible risk factors for developing HD among HCWs are female gender, age, wearing gloves, and fewer working hours per week. Preventive measures for HD are needed for HCWs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk of Manual Handling and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Rice Mill Workers in Northern Iran

Maryam Rafiee — 2023-12-05

Background: Nowadays, a large proportion of work-related activities are performed manually, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aims to assess the risk of manual material handling (MMH) and estimate the prevalence of MSDs among workers in rice mills in the northern part of the country.

Methods: The study was conducted on 100 workers employed in 36 rice mills in Gilan Province using the census method. The Nordic questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, while the NIOSH equation, Snook table, KIM-LHC and MAC assessment methods were used to evaluate the risk of related activities. Data were then analysed using chi-squared test and Spss23 software.

Results: The results of the KIM-LHC and MAC lifting methods showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the lower limb during lifting. Similarly, there was a statistically significant relationship (P=0.001 and P=0.002) between the Mac and Snook lifting methods. However, there was no significant relationship between the Niosh method and either the Kim-LHC or Mac-Lifting methods (P=0.10 and P=0.28).

Conclusion: The results of the risk assessment using different methods showed a consistent and critical condition of the working environment in the rice mills studied. Therefore, it is imperative to take the necessary engineering and management control measures to improve the working conditions.

Effects of Ergonomic Interventions on Health Indicators in a Rubber Industry

Mina-Sadat Behdani — 2023-12-05

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of engineering, organizational, and individual ergonomic interventions on the percentage of workers complaining Musculoskeletal disorders, inappropriate work environment, exposure to manual handling, and the rate of sick-leave in workers of rubber industry.

Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical and retrospective study conducted in the production department of a rubber manufacturing industry. Ergonomic interventions, which have been fully implemented and have been stable in the industry, were included in the study. Health indicators were determined by reviewing completed Nordic questionnaires, insurance documents, and the documents about different methods of ergonomic risk assessment before and after each intervention. Before and after comparing the indicators, paired t and Wilcoxon tests were done. Results: Ergonomic interventions included 114 engineering, 20 organizational, and 7 individual interventions. Engineering interventions had a significant effect on all the indicators such as reducing total MSDs) 66%). Organizational interventions led to the improvement of the index of MSDs (60%), inappropriate posture (55%) and pain intensity (30%). Individual interventions had a significant effect on MSDs (85.71%) and sick-leaves (100%) (P<0.05).

Conclusion: All the types of ergonomic interventions in the production sector of the rubber industry have been effective in reducing MSDs. Engineering interventions have had a significant impact on all the health indicators considered in this study; they are highly effective in the rubber industry, and it is better to implement them together with organizational or individual interventions for better results.