pISSN: 2008-5109
eISSN: 2008-5435
Editor-in-Chief:
Mohammadreza Monazzam Esmaeilpour, PhD.
Current Issue
Vol 17 No 1 (2025)
Published:
2025-03-03
Original Article(s)
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Over the last few decades, organizations' productivity and occupational health and safety (OHS) performance have improved as a result of the adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies and new management approaches. Despite these improvements, OHS performance in developing nations remains unsatisfactory, and further research is needed to ascertain the factors that influence OHS performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing OHS performance in Iranian manufacturing companies. Twelve informants, including OHS inspectors and managers, were interviewed individually for this qualitative study. The interviews were semi-structured, and the data were analyzed using the grounded theory method. Management commitment, safety culture, OHS training, OHS regulations, economic and political issues, social factors, as well as personal and occupational factors have all been identified. The findings emphasize the importance of identifying influencing factors in order to improve manufacturing companies' OHS performance. Given the limited financial resources available to the companies, government assistance and effective OHS training may help in promoting OHS performance. Efforts to improve safety culture and to enforce OHS regulations may impact OHS performance.
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Risk Assessment of Shift Work Disorders and Its Effect on Well-Being of Nurses in a Hospital in Iran
Background: Non-standard work shifts are one of the main risk factors for physical and mental disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the Shift Work Disorder Screening (SWDS) questionnaire and examine the effect of shift work on the quality of life and well-being of nurses in a hospital in Iran.
Methods: This study was conducted on 85 nurses, of which 41 and 44 had shift and non-shift work, respectively. The SWDS was used to evaluate shift disorders, and the WHO-5 questionnaire was used to assess the well-being of nurses. ICC and alpha coefficients were used to evaluate the reliability. T-test and chi-square tests were used to evaluate the differences between demographic characteristics and questionnaire responses between the two groups of nurses.
Results: The SWDS reliability using Cronbach’s alpha and ICC were 0.913 and 0.845, respectively. Fifty-four percent of nurses were high risk, and 46% were low risk, regarding the SWD score. About 59% of shift workers were dissatisfied with their sleep. Nurses who had done shift work for less than a year and fewer than three days per week were less likely to experience disorders. There was a significant relationship between WHO score and SWD risk.
Conclusion: The SWD risk affects the well-being of individuals. The SWDS is a proper tool for shift work disorder risk assessment, and it can be used to assess the risk of adverse safety, health, and performance effects of SWD. -
BACKGROUND: Welding is a process to connect different parts using various techniques. In industrial settings, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) are the most common types of electric arc welding. In all these procedures, welders are exposed to a range of hazards such as gases and fumes that may affect their pulmonary function and oxidative stress status. This case-control study was conducted to investigate lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and pulmonary function status in industrial welders.
Method: Case participants worked in one of three types of welding (SMAW, GMAW, TIG) (52 men), and control participants (40 men) were not exposed to welding hazards. Blood biomarkers MDA and TAC were evaluated to determine antioxidant levels, and FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC indices were considered for pulmonary function.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the levels of MDA, FVC, and FEV1 between the welders and the control group, but no significant difference was observed in the levels of TAC. It seems that among welder groups, the mean levels of MDA, FVC, and FEV1 in SMAW welders were significantly different compared to the other groups. Finally, MDA had a significant relationship with all pulmonary indices, and FVC had a significant relationship with all biomarkers of oxidative stress and other pulmonary functions.
Conclusion: The findings show that occupational exposure to welding hazards in different types of welding may affect oxidative stress and pulmonary function indices. -
Background: Carpentry workshops present numerous hazards that pose significant risks to worker health and safety. Despite the substantial workforce in micro-scale workshops, these environments have received limited research attention. This study aims to identify and assess the risks associated with hazards in a selected carpentry workshop within a wire industry setting.
Methods: Utilizing the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) method for hazard identification, we delineated the primary tasks performed by carpenters and outlined their respective steps. The AS/NZS 4360:2004 standard was employed to evaluate risk levels.
Results: Our findings revealed that, under the current conditions, 14.3% of identified hazards had a risk priority number of 4, indicating a high risk; 61.9% had a risk priority number of 3, representing intermediate risk; and 23.8% had a risk priority number of 2, signifying low risk. Among the identified hazards, awkward postures accounted for the highest Relative Frequency at 19.04%, followed by falling wood at 14.28%.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, implementing appropriate policies, adequate supervision, and adherence to legal requirements were recommended to enhance safety and health. Ergonomic principles and load-carrying techniques in carpentry practices are crucial for mitigating risks in these workshops. -
Background: Retaining qualified staff presents a significant challenge for organizations, especially in the healthcare sector. Establishing a work-life balance (WLB) has emerged as an effective strategy for retaining existing employees and attracting new talent within healthcare organizations.
Methods: This study explores the relationship between work-life balance, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment among nurses at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia. A sample size of 127 individuals was determined using Cochran’s formula. Data collection utilized three questionnaires: Wong and Ko scale for assessing work-life balance, Smith and Kendall scale for evaluating job satisfaction, and Allen and Meyer scale for measuring organizational commitment. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients, with the data analyzed through SPSS version 22.
Results: The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between work-life balance and both job satisfaction and organizational commitment. This correlation was evident across various dimensions, including increased leisure time, workplace support for balance, job loyalty, maintenance of work and career, flexibility in work schedules, voluntary reduction of working hours, and life orientation among the nurses.
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of work-life balance in enhancing job satisfaction and organizational commitment among nurses. By fostering conditions that allow employees to effectively balance their professional and personal responsibilities, organizations can reduce work-related stress and bolster employee motivation and loyalty. This is crucial for healthcare organizations facing challenges in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Investments in policies and programs that promote work-life balance can enhance performance and reduce turnover rates. -
Background: The present study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on oxidative stress parameters among workers exposed to high noise levels in an automobile parts manufacturing plant. Additionally, the effects of noise exposure on superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated.
Method: Participants were divided into four groups (vitamin E [100 mg], Omega-3 fatty acids [180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA], vitamin E + Omega-3, and Placebo) using a double-blind block randomization method. Oxidative stress parameters were analyzed before and after three months of supplementation using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Workers’ noise exposure levels were measured according to ISO 9612.
Results: Before the intervention, mean MDA, SOD, and TAC levels were 27.52 (7.46) nmol/ml, 58.84 (10.44) U/ml, and 2.57 (0.67) mM, respectively. After the intervention, mean MDA, SOD, and TAC levels were 24.57 (7.58) nmol/ml, 63.46 (11.02) U/ml, and 2.70 (0.84) mM, respectively. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation significantly decreased MDA levels. Moreover, vitamin E combined with Omega-3 fatty acids significantly increased SOD activity. Noise exposure decreased TAC and SOD levels and increased MDA levels, but the changes were only statistically significant for TAC.
Conclusion: The simultaneous use of vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids for three months positively affected the antioxidant performance of workers exposed to noise. -
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulders are the most commonly reported complaints in sedentary occupations such as dentistry. These disorders not only cause pain but can also impair postural control mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between postural stability disorders and forward head posture (FHP) in dentists.
Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 dentists from two dental centers in Tehran were investigated. Individual and job characteristics were collected via questionnaire. The head position was examined using clinical testing for forward head posture. The Romberg equilibrium test and its three modified versions were used to evaluate static stability, and the stepping test was applied to evaluate dynamic stability. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the independent t-test were used to examine the relationship between variables and to investigate the difference in stability variables between the FHP and healthy groups.
Results: Based on the results, 57.1% of the studied dentists were diagnosed with forward head posture. According to the results of the independent t-test, there were significant differences in the average holding time in the static stability tests and the deviation degrees from the normal range in the dynamic equilibrium test between the FHP and healthy groups (p= 0.013).
Conclusion: FHP could negatively affect the postural equilibrium of dentists. Suitable interventions such as ergonomic redesign of workstations and/or corrective exercises are strongly recommended. -
Background: There is growing agreement about using indicators for evaluating and measuring safety in major hazard facilities. This study aimed to investigate process safety indicators in the process industry in Iran. Additionally, the levels of safety culture maturity of the site employees and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) staff were assessed.
Methods: Data were collected from the process industry in Iran over three years (2014 to 2017) as part of a routine reporting process. Lagging safety indicators were established based on incident reporting and analysis. Leading indicators were developed based on the desired operation of risk control systems. The British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) safety culture maturity model was used to determine the levels of safety culture maturity among site employees and HSE staff members.
Results: According to the results of this field study in the process industry, total recordable injury rate and lost time injury frequency were identified as lagging indicators. Staff competence and safety training, operational procedures, permit to work, emergency arrangements, and inspections of safety-critical items were determined as leading indicators. The assessment of safety culture maturity among staff revealed that the maturity of most safety culture elements was at level three “involving,” moving towards level four “cooperating.” The safety culture was therefore relatively mature in the study industry.
Conclusions: The study showed that safety culture was relatively mature in the process industry, and process safety indicators such as leading and lagging indicators were already monitored. Thus, improvement in safety performance measurements was expected.
