Occupational Hygiene and Health Promotion

The Effect of Organizational Culture on Employees’ Safety Performance in Electricity Distribution Organization of Gilan Province

Morad REZAEI DIZGHAH, Mehdi AJALLI, Mahdi HOMAYOUNFAR — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:47:26 +0000

Purpose: In recent years, safety has become an important issue in developing countries and has attracted much attention from many organizations. In this regard, the present study aims to investigate the effect of organizational culture on safety performance in the regional electricity distribution organization in Gilan province.

Methods: The present research is an applied descriptive study. The statistical population of the research included 1311 employees of regional electricity distribution organization of Gilan province, 286 of whom were chosen as the sample through random sampling method and the required data were collected using the questionnaire. After examining the validity (content) and reliability of the questionnaire, the research hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling method and based on Smart PLS2 software.

Result: The findings show that (1) management commitment culture to safety on creating a safe work environment, (2) creating a safe work environment on concurrent engineering, (3) creating a safe work environment to design-for-safety and (4) design-for-safety on safety performance, have a significant effect. However, the effect of concurrent engineering on safety performance was not confirmed. The results also indicate that the model variables explain 73.9% of safety performance variations.

Conclusions: The results can be used as a suitable procedure to explain the safety performance of employees of regional electricity organization in Gilan province. In addition, they provide a situation for managers to develop policies to improve safety performance by promoting predictive variables.

Prediction of Job Burnout Based on Action Flexibility and Existential Anxiety in Female Civil Engineers in Yazd

Faezeh BEHJAT, Marieh DEHGHANMANSHADI, Hassan ZAREEIMAHMOODABADI — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:51:42 +0000

Introduction: One of the most important factors affecting people's mental health and their interest in the workplace is the feeling of job satisfaction. This study aims to predict job burnout based on action flexibility and existential anxiety in female civil engineers in Yazd.

Methods: The present applied correlational study was conducted on 150 female civil engineers working in Yazd engineering system in 2019. The tools used in this study were Maslach and Jackson (1981) job burnout questionnaires, Connor and Davidson (2003) action flexibility questionnaire, and Lawrence Goode (1974) existential anxiety questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Smirnov-Kolmogorov test, and Pearson correlation were used to analyze the data by SPSS 22 software.

Results: The results show that there is an inverse relationship between job burnout and action flexibility, the value of which was obtained (-0.13). There was also a significant and direct relationship between job burnout and existential anxiety, which was obtained (+ 0.44).

Conclusion: This study indicate that job burnout of female civil engineers in Yazd engineering system can be predicted using action flexibility and existential anxiety.

Investigating Neuroticism, Aggression, and Risk Taking as Predictors of Accident-Proneness in Line Employees of National Iranian Drilling Company

Ali MOZAFFAR, Abdolkazem NEISI, Nasrin ARSHADI — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:54:43 +0000

Introduction: The present study aims to examine neuroticism, aggression, and risk taking as predictors of accident-proneness in line employees of National Iranian Drilling Company.

Methods: The present correlational predictive study was designed to predict group membership (injured employees, uninjured employees) and achieve the Audit Equation. The statistical population of the study consisted of all injured and uninjured line employees at the National Iranian Drilling Company of Ahvaz working in the company during the last five years (from April 2010 to November 2013). The research sample consisted of 145 injured employees (over the past 5 years) and 115 uninjured employees, selected using simple random sampling method. The subjects were measured by Neo Personality Inventory (Costa and McCrae, 1992), SCL90R Aggression Index, and Risk Taking scale (Westaby and Lee, 2003) questionnaires.

Results: The data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software. The results of this study showed that accident-proneness of employees can be predicted only by neuroticism and aggression variables. The risk taking was not able to distinguish between injured and uninjured employees.

Conclusion: According to the research results, in order to reduce accident-proneness in employees, personality traits, such as neuroticism and aggression should be considered.

Assessing the Perception of Risk and Safety Climate of the Employees of Andishmandan Jonoob Company in 2020

Mohammad VELAYATZADEH — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:56:54 +0000

Introduction: Safety climate and risk perception are two very important factors in safety studies that by examining and analyzing them, appropriate results can be obtained from the safety status of employees. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in 2020 on 388 employees of different departments of Andishmandan Jonoob Company project in Ahvaz.

Methods: The Nordic Safety Atmosphere Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50) was used to assess the safety climate, the Flynn risk perception questionnaire was used to assess the risk perception, and the Likert method was used to assess the safety climate and risk perception assessment. Before distributing the questionnaire to the employees, a short educational class was held by the researcher on how to complete the questionnaire, and after distributing the questionnaire, the employees took 45 min to complete the questionnaire, and then the questionnaires were collected. To analyze the data, SPPS 24 software was used and to determine the differences between the studied variables, one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) was utilized.

Findings: In this study, the mean weight and height of the subjects were 81.57±18.45 kg and 176.32±24.68 cm, respectively. Among the employees, 43.81% had a diploma, 37.37% aged 30 to 40 years, 76.03% had 1 to 10 years of work experience, and 80.67% were workers. The mean scores of different dimensions of safety climate based on age, work experience, and education level showed that the mean safety commitment of employees for age, work experience, and education level were 0.76, 0.98, and 0.76, respectively. In this study, 14 workplace risks were considered that the risk of electric shock, back pain, and repetitive movements by employees did not have a score of 1 (very low risk). The risks of hitting the hot surface and falling objects on the foot by the employees did not have a score of 5 (high risk).

Conclusion: The results of the mean scores of employees based on the safety climate questionnaire in the studied dimensions showed that the safety climate among the employees of the studied service jobs is relatively weak. Therefore, in order to reduce the potential risks in service jobs and reduce accidents, safety and health issues should be trained with proper and codified planning, and the safety culture of employees should be increased with new methods and new technologies. Regarding the perception of risk, it can be concluded that some risks were not felt by employees and were not observed by individuals; therefore, employees gave a low score to these risks.

Evaluation of Artificial Lighting in the Hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the Satisfaction of the Medical Staff in 1400

Farahnaz KHAJEHNASIRI, Seyed Abolfazl ZAKERIAN, Zahra Sadat MOUSAVI FARD — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:01:29 +0000

Introduction: One of the important factors in providing safety and preventing stress in medical staff and patients referred to hospitals at night is the provision of standard lighting in the hospital. This study aims to determine the mean score of area artificial lighting and compare it with the standard in the hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the satisfaction of the medical staff.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study (descriptive-analytical), the intensity of general lighting at night was checked and compared with standard values based on the proposed models of the North American Society of Lighting Engineers using a lux meter, in Sina, Imam Khomeini, and Shariati hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The satisfaction of the emergency medical staff with the lighting of the hospital area was assessed by a short researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive and analytical statistics of the data were provided by SPSS software, version 22.

Results: Based on the results of this study, the mean and standard deviation of lighting in Sina, Imam Khomeini, and Shariati hospitals were 33.12 ± 47.84, 24.67 ± 54.51, and 6.73 ± 10.87, respectively. The results showed that 55.4% of night shift staff were not satisfied with the area lighting. The mean score of lighting of the general hospital area (19.19 lux) was significantly different from the standard of hospital area lighting (50 lux) (PV = 0.000).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the mean score lighting of the hospitals area was significantly lower than the lighting standard and the need to improve lighting systems is emphasized.

Hazards Assessment of Medical Waste Unit of the Waste Management Organization Using Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Technique

Sanaz KEESHAVARZ MOTAMED, Samira GHIYASI, Farshad HASHEMZADEH — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:15:25 +0000

Introduction: Hospital waste is one of the most important pollutants caused by hospital processes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) risks of medical waste unit.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. The study tool included the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) technique. This research was conducted in three sections of medical Waste Unit of the Waste Management Organization including collection, processing and landfill sections.

Results: The FMEA results showed that the highest levels of environmental Risk Priority Number (RPN) in the collection, processing and landfill sections were estimated 245, 392, and 294 respectively. Furthermore, the lowest levels of environmental risk in these three sections were calculated as 144, 80, and 60 respectively. The FMEA results indicated that the highest levels of safety and health risk in the collection, processing and landfill sections were calculated to be 252, 420 and 420, respectively. Also, the lowest level of safety and health risk in all three sections was estimated to be RPN=90.

Conclusion: Findings of this study indicated that the level of hospital waste risk is high. Therefore, reducing the incidence of catastrophic consequences associated with these wastes should be considered a priority of the waste management system.

Designing and Implementing an Internship Unit in the Field of Medical Sciences with an Approach of Occupational Safety and Health in Health and Medical Settings in Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

Maryam FEIZ AREFI, Nayereh KASIRI, Hashem HESHMATI, Mohsen POURSADEGHIYAN — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:18:47 +0000

Introduction: Occupational injuries are one of the most important challenges in health care systems, which can lead to the transmission of infectious diseases. Medical students are at risk due to internships in a clinical setting. Therefore, it is necessary to perform educational measures in this field for them at the beginning of entering the clinical setting. Therefore, the present study aims to implement and design an internship unit in the field of medical sciences with an approach of occupational safety and health in the clinical setting.

Methods: In this educational course, after coordination and obtaining approvals, the target group of the study was determined and occupational health and safety educational course was designed and implemented on students who had internships in health centers. The satisfaction with the educational course was assessed. Qualitative assessment and students’ work reports in the field of occupational safety and health were also evaluated.

Results: At first, students did not have sufficient and coherent information on safety and health issues. The results of this study show that from the perspective of the students, education was good and higher (71.6%) in terms of the applicability of the content. Moreover, 70.1% of the students reported that the adequacy of the education with job responsibilities was good and excellent. More than 80% reported that the workshop was attractive and recommended to continue, 37.3% stated that the educational resources provided with the workshop content were good, and the opinion of 29.8% was very good and excellent. The overall evaluation of the workshop from the students' point of view and quality assessment of the workshop showed that more than 77% of them evaluated the workshop as good and excellent.

Conclusion: The educational courses, modification of accident registration forms in students in the clinical setting, and also the existence of clinical accident self-reporting programs, especially for students seem necessary. It is suggested that the concepts of occupational safety and health be added to the content of medical students' courses in the clinical setting as an educational concept. The results of this study can be implemented in the curriculum review to improve the safety of clinical setting.

Investigating Safety Promotion Guidelines in Railway Construction Projects

Eshagh ARIANMEHR, Zahra SABZI, Faezeh ABBASGOHARI, Mohsen ASGARI — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:23:38 +0000

Introduction: Occupational accidents not only reduce social credibility and impose a heavy economic burden on the organization, but also cause fatalities and disability among personnel. This study aims to assess risk and review safety promotion guidelines in railway construction projects.

Methods: This study investigated the safety status of Tehran-Karaj railway construction and increasing lines project in four phases, including infrastructure, technical buildings, superstructure, and joint activities. The data were gathered by reviewing project safety documentation, reported accidents, and risk assessment results by failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method. Risks were categorized based on control ability at three levels, including low, moderate, and high levels. Control measures were prioritized based on the risk coverage percentage, cost, implementation time, and effectiveness.

Results: In total, 377 risks were identified, 19.9%, 61.2%, and 18.9% of which were in the low, moderate, and high levels, respectively. The most frequently identified risks and the highest rate of accidents were related to technical buildings (42.2%) and superstructure (36.6%) phases, respectively. In terms of consequence, the most severe accident occurred in the infrastructure phase within the contractors' scope of action. Falling from height was identified as the greatest threat against the project, and collapsing, falling, and hitting with materials as the key cause of the accident. It was found that controlling 39.8% of the risks could avert 73.3% of the project occupational accidents.

Conclusion: The findings reveal the major role of senior management commitment to safety and emphasis on control measures, including implementing safety program training, increasing visits, and safety inspection, as well as implementing a permit to work system in all operational phases.

Assessing the Safe Behavior of Accountants by Designing an Accountant's Professional Ethics Model

Maleeha MIRHOSSEINI, Mahmoud MOINUDDIN, Forough HIRANI, Seyed Hasan HATAMI NESAB — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:29:02 +0000

Introduction: Ethics is a pervasive subject which covers all aspects of human life. The rapid growth of human society and the complexity of social relations require the emergence of various professions. Survival of these professions depends on the type and quality of services they provide and the trust and credibility that they gain as a result of providing these services. To increase the impact of professional ethics, it is necessary to have patterns consistent with culture and society, and by recognizing them, the dimensions of safe behavior by accountants can be explored.

Research Method: This was an applied study in terms of purpose, and based on the research method, it was both quantitative and qualitative. The statistical population consisted of published domestic papers related to accounting professional ethics. In this study, effective criteria based on previous research were identified and selected in the form of 5 main indicators. Then, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed and implemented to determine the fuzzy cognition mapping pattern.

Findings: Fuzzy cognition mapping among 5 main components showed that there is a cause and effect relationship between all components. However, this cause and effect relationship is positive in some cases and negative in others. Results indicated that an individual component has a negative relationship with an organizational component and a positive relationship with other components. Social component has a positive relationship only with the individual component and a negative relationship with other components. In other words, social component is inversely related to organizational, professionalism and environmental indicators, and the highest intensity of the reverse flow is related to the environmental component.

Conclusion: By understanding professional ethics of accountants and identifying its basic components and determining the relationship between these components in different dimensions and specifying the importance of each of them, a specific framework or format can be designed and implemented for observing or not observing professional ethics by accountants and the desire to behave based on the code of professional behavior .This is to reduce unsafe behaviors, and as a result, reduce the rate of accidents in the country's industries.

Evaluation the Relationship between Mental Workload and Fatigue in Shahroud Bank Employees

Vahid VASILOUEE, Azim KARIMI, Seyedeh‌Solmaz TALEBI — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:31:43 +0000

Introduction: Mental workload has been raised as one of the most important issues in the workplace. In jobs where there is a lot of workload, due to fatigue and improper scheduling, efficiency is reduced, causing decreased memory, impairs thinking, and decreased learning. Tired people are more likely to choose risky behaviors, such as taking shortcuts to perform their tasks. This study aims to determine the relationship between mental workload and fatigue in bank employees.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 190 employees of Shahroud Bank in 2019. In order to collect data, the questioning method was done using NASA task load index (NASA TLX) for measuring mental workload and multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI). Data analysis was performed by SPSS 22 at the significance level of 0.05 using Spearman statistical test.

Results: Bank employees had a degree of mental workload with mean score of 75.06, and two factors of mental stress and efficiency were relatively more important than other subscales. In terms of fatigue, bank employees had an overall degree of fatigue with mean score of 52.46, and two factors of general and mental fatigue were more important in their job.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the overall mental workload is directly related to the activity reduction component. The decrease in activity also has the highest correlation with efficiency, mental, and time subscales, which reduces the activity and productivity of bank employees.

Predicting Psychological Well-Being Based on Psychological Capital Components and Stress Coping Strategies: A Case Study of Hormozgan Province Gas Company

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:36:33 +0000

Introduction: The increasing importance of having capable employees in organizations to achieve the goals emphasizes the need to pay more attention to the psychological well-being of employees and the factors affecting it. This study aims to investigate the role of components of psychological capital and stress coping strategies in predicting the psychological well-being of employees of Hormozgan Gas Company.

Methods: This applied correlational study was conducted cross-sectionally and by cluster sampling method in 1400 on 130 personnel of Hormozgan Gas Company. In order to collect data, Lutans Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-21), and Reef Psychological Well-Being scale (RSPWB) were used. Then, the data were analyzed using SPSS-24 software and stepwise regression test.

Results: The results of this study showed that there is a positive correlation between psychological well-being and psychological capital and problem-based coping strategies and a negative correlation between psychological well-being and emotion-centered coping strategy. The variables of hope, resilience, and emotion-based coping strategy have an effective predictive role on the psychological well-being index.

Conclusion: High resilience and hope and the use of problem-oriented coping styles predict higher psychological well-being of employees. Therefore, it is suggested that managers consider more educational programs to improve psychological capital, educate appropriate coping styles, and use more problem-solving strategies for employees, and strengthen resilience and hope in them.

Predictive Power of Adherence to Nurses' Care Behaviors from Patients' Perspectives by Nurses' Professional Commitment

Parivash KARIMI, Farzin MOLLAZADEH, Hossein HABIBZADEH, Madineh JASEMI — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:39:42 +0000

Introduction: Optimal nursing care is an important indicator of the quality and effectiveness of the health care system and is associated with professional commitment. This study aims to investigate the predictive power of adherence to nurses' care behaviors from patients' perspectives by nurses' professional commitment working in Urmia educational hospitals in 2018-2019.

Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was conducted on 100 nurses working in educational hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences in 2018-2019 who were selected by stratified random sampling. Demographic information questionnaire, nurses' professional commitment questionnaire (NPCS), and nurses' caring behavior inventory (CBI) were used for data collection. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, correlation and stepwise regression.

Results: The results of this study showed that there is a direct relationship between professional commitment and adherence to caring behaviors (r = 0.31 and p = 0.02). Moreover, dimensions of nurses 'professional commitment (perception of nursing, satisfaction with the nursing profession, getting involved with the nursing profession, and self-sacrifice for the nursing profession) account for 26% of the variance in adherence to nursing care behaviors. The dimension of nurses' professional commitment has the most significant effect after self-sacrifice for the nursing profession (P = 0.029, B = 0.30).

Conclusion: Considering the role of professional commitment on the level of adherence to nurses' caring behaviors, it is essential to recognize the factors affecting nurses’ professional commitment and make comprehensive planning to enhance the professional commitment of nurses.

Investigating Mental Health and Its Relationship with the Variables of Age, Education, and Service History in Firefighters in Shahrekord in 2018

Neda TIMA — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:41:57 +0000

Introduction: Mental health is one of the social needs, since the proper functioning of a society requires people who are in a good condition in terms of mental health. Firefighters are the most important special occupations that need high physical and mental strength to perform their duties and missions safely. The present study was conducted to evaluate the mental health of Shahrekord firefighters.

Methods: The present cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 152 people who were working in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province fire department in 2018 and the sample size in Shahrekord was 61 people and only 52 people cooperated. The data collection tool was Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using GHQ software.

Results: The results showed that there was no significant relationship between general health and the variables of age, level of education, and service history. However, there was a relationship between depression and age, and also depression and level of education.

Conclusion: The study findings reveal that depression level is high among firefighters, which can cause a variety of physical and mental illnesses. People who are depressed may be unable to perform daily tasks and even feel that life is worthless. Creating such a mindset with increasing age and work pressure in sensitive jobs, such as firefighting can be very traumatic. The education level variable can also be used as a deterrent or reduction factor for depression.

Evaluating the Relationship between HSE Management and Job Satisfaction and Performance Quality among the Production Center (Employees of Hacoupian Clothing Industrial ‎Company: A Case Study)

Hamid AKBARI, Fahimeh SARBANDI — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:46:40 +0000

Introduction: The productivity of an organization is closely related to the improvement of the safety and health of employees and the development of knowledge and skills of human resources in advancing the organization goals. Based on a combination of questionnaire and survey, this study examines the impact of implementing safety management practices on the performance and job satisfaction of employees in Iran's production units.

Research Method: This descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in 1400 on 200 employees and managers of the Hacoupian clothing industrial company located in Tehran province. 130 of them were selected based on random sampling using the Morgan table. Data collection tools included a researcher-made questionnaire, which was further confirmed by experts by applying their opinions regarding its validity and reliability. It was approved by experts. The analysis method in this study is mainly descriptive and the type of research is relational. Data and research hypotheses were respectively tested using Structural equation modeling (SEM) and Partial least squares (PLS) approach through SPSS26 software.

Results: Findings showed the appropriate fit of measurement and structural models. In addition, results demonstrated the positive effect of improving safety on the job satisfaction of employees in production units, as well as the negative effects of not paying attention to the health of the working environment on the quality of employees' performance.

Conclusion: The more companies and governments pay attention to the issue of operational health and safety, the organizational and environmental situation will be formed in such a way that it will optimally motivate employees and increase the quality of production and operations in the organization.

Evaluation of the Emergency Management Conditions Program in HSE-MS: A Case Study on a Car Dashboard Manufacturing Company (Rasti Kar Alborz)

Ali POURARJMAND, Hamed MOHAMADI — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 07:24:41 +0000

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between emergency management in the field of HSE_MS in Rastikar Alborz Dashboard Company in Qazvin province.

Method: This was a descriptive study conducted with a survey approach. It was applied, in terms of purpose, and correlational, in terms of method of implementation. The statistical population of the study consisted of employees working in Rastikar Alborz Company. Based on the Chris-Morgan table, 169 people were selected as a statistical sample of the study using the relative class sampling method. In order to collect data, demographic characteristics questionnaires, researcher-made questionnaires on emergency management and safety, health and environmental management (HSE _ MS) were used. Then, they were validated by professors. Confirmation and reliability of the questionnaires were estimated to be 0.90 and 0.85, respectively, through Cronbach's alpha. Descriptive statistics (dispersion indices) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, linear regression) were used to analyze the data by SPSS18 software.

Results: The results of the study indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between the components of employees' level of perception of emergency management and management (HSE _ MS) {r: 0.19 and p /0 0.001}. The coefficient of regression was also equal to 0.44.

Conclusion: Based on this result, the ability to predict and explain the dimensions of management (HSE _ MS) for the emergency management component is moderate, and the dimensions of management (HSE _ MS) were above average. Due to the importance of emergency management in the company and the significant role of safety, health and environmental management in this field, the authors recommend that programs such as training courses for employees be provided.

Assessment of HSEE Management System and Resilience Engineering of Cement Industry

Sama KARIMI, Amin BAGHERI, FatemehMahna MIHSENZADEH, Ghazale MONAZAMITEHRANI — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 07:24:48 +0000

Introduction: Irreparable accidents, occupational diseases, and damage to the environment occur annually in the cement industry. Therefore, to minimize the risks, pay attention to the health of employees, and protect the environment, this study was conducted with the aim of “investigating the status of HSEE management system and resilience engineering in the cement industry".

Method: This was a descriptive study with the participation of 182 employees from a cement industry in Iran. They were selected according to random sampling and Cochran's formula. For this purpose, resilience engineering and HSEE questionnaire were reviewed and localized according to the studies and opinions of HSE and cement industry experts. Then, the status of HSEE management system and resilience engineering was reviewed. All analyzes were performed by one-sample t-test method using SPSS version 18 software.

Results: The results of this study indicated that the average of dimensions of resilience engineering and the dimensions of health, safety, environment, and ergonomics management system are lower than the standard score. Moreover, reporting has the highest average (4.72) among the dimensions of resilience engineering and the environment has the highest average (4.76) among the dimensions of the HSEE management system.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that by examining the status of resilience engineering and HSEE management system, authorities can improve the performance of HSE management system using the concept of resilience engineering .This is done with proper planning of resilience engineering indicators to strengthen the performance of HSE management system. To improve the level of resilience, every effort should be made to change the horizons of senior management in order to value HSE issues and accept them as a value in the organization.