نشریه طب کار
سال ششم شماره 4 (پیاپی 17، زمستان 1393)

approximately 90 percent of workplace accidents are due to unsafe behaviors and human errors. Identification of the factors influencing unsafe behaviors in the prevention of these accidents is useful. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between dimensions of safety climate and safe behaviors in a petrochemical industry. In this descriptive – correlation study، the population included all line employees working in an industrial company (N= 1160). Four hundred employees were selected by stratified random sampling. Participants in this study were evaluated by using safe behaviors and safety climate scales. In order to analyze the data، the regression analysis and in the validation stage، the confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS-21 and the Pearson’s correlation that using SPSS-19 were applied. Findings indicated that correlation coefficients between dimensions of safety climate and safe behaviors were positive and significant (P<0/001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis yielded that of the six independent variables، only two variables of management commitment and safety communication and feedback entered the regression equation (R2=0. 423، P<. 0001). The results of this study showed the importance of management commitment and safety communication and feedback as predictors of safe work behaviors. Therefore، in order to select people for high risk environments such as petrochemical industry and also in training courses we should rely on these variables.

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. 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. 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). 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.

Employed population comprise the bulk of people in each society, who are employed in different organizations, and organizations with regard to climate, type of jobs and their duties are faced with some concerns. One of the problems that can threaten human resource is burnout syndrome. Statistical population of this study consisted of 7580 personnel with high school or university degrees in Mobarakeh Steel Company. Statistical sample consisted of 273 subjects who were selected by proportional stratified sampling method; the study instruments included burnout inventory, work-family conflict, workload, role clarity stress, job satisfaction, turnover intention. Data were analyzed by AMOS software and structural equation modeling. Findings indicated that in proposed model, predictor variables predict burnout by mediating job stress, and burnout has a significant relationship with outcome variables. In attention to the importance of burnout and its relationship with outcome variables, to change and moderate the predictors and decrease job stress, we proposed that in organizations, interventions should be put in their instructional schedules.

Heat stress as a harmful physical agent in workplace, if is not properly controlled, can cause undesirable effects on the performance and health of personnel. This study aimed to evaluate the heat stress and efficacy of engineering interventions on WBGT index in work station of the workers in a forging industry. This experimental study evaluated WBGT index in one of the forging industries of Tehran in summer 2010. In order to control the radiant temperature, as the most effective factor on WBGT, fireproof flexible fabric was used as shield to reflect and insulate radiant heat. Efficacy of the intervention was evaluated by comparison of WBGT index before and after the intervention, using Statistical paired t-test and SPSS software version 14. Average value of WBGT index in all 12 workstations before the intervention was estimated to be 21.31˚C which was higher than the standard limit. This value reached to 45.26˚C after intervention. Radiant temperature was identified as the most important factor which should be controlled. Data analysis indicated that difference in radiant heat at the height of head, and ankles was statistically significant before and after intervention (P≤0.05). However it was not statistically significant at the height of waistline (P≥0.05). Results of the study showed that using flexible fabric shields is a good way to control the radiant temperature and thermal stress. These shields are inexpensive and easily installed, and don’t block front sight of the operator. These shields are easily shaped to fit the workspace and due to the lack of sharp edges they are safety approved. Hence it seems that these heat shields are able to be widely used in order to control the radiant heat in the forging industry.

Driving is an occupation that poor quality of sleep and sleepiness may lead to increased errors and accidents in this profession. This study aimed to assess sleep quality of drivers and its association with road accidents in Shahroud. In this cross-sectional study, 312 drivers of Shahroud terminals were studied in 1392. Demographic, occupational and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with seven scales were used. Its validity and reliability has been confirmed in several studies. SPSS statistical software version 16 was used to analyze the data. The mean of drivers working hours per day was 9.8 ± 2.79h. The mean ± SD of total score of sleep quality (PSQI) in drivers was 4.5 ± 2.85 and 27.5% of them had poor sleep quality. A statistical significant association was observed between sleep quality and accidents in the last year, in the past five years and being guilty in the accident (p= 0.005 and p= 0.024 and p= 0.002 respectively). This association was not observed between sleep quality and the physical injury or death in accidents. Our findings showed that approximately one third of drivers had poor sleep quality. There was an association between sleep quality and accidents in the last year, in the past five years and being guilty in accidents. It seems that training program, especially about sleep hygiene may decrease accidents in the drivers.

Researches show that the perception of role overload in employees had a relationship with the occurrence of job accidents. Such ways can act as barriers against the harmful effects of work environment on the health and increase in cognitive and support resources including job self-efficacy and organizational support. The purpose of this study was to determine the predicted power of role overload by job self-efficacy and perceived organizational support for safety. The current research is a correlation study. Sample consisted of 189 employees in Isfahan Steel Company in 2012 that were selected according to the stratified random sampling method and responded to the questionnaires about demographic characteristics, role overload, job self-efficacy and perceived organizational support for safety. Data we reanalyzed using Pearson’s correlation test and logistic regression. The results of this study showed that there were significant relationships between role overload, job self-efficacy and perceived organizational support for safety (p<0.01). Also, regression analysis indicated that the variables of job self-efficacy and perceived organizational support for safety significantly predicted almost 11% and 10% of role overload variance (p<0.05). The research results denote the importance of psycho-social variables in predicting the perception of role overload in employees.

Pesticides are chemical compounds used against vectors of human and animal diseases as well as plant pests. This study was undertaken to assess pulmonary reactions, if any, associated with occupational exposure to pesticides. This was a cross sectional analytical study in which a group of 86 exposed (employees of a pesticide producing company) and 75 unexposed referent subjects (Paper board recycling factory workers) were investigated. A standard questionnaire used to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Additionally, the parameters of pulmonary function were measured at the first day of workweek before and after shift, and several days after exposure. Significant decrements were noted in some parameters of pulmonary function after exposure. Similarly, mean values of all parameters of pulmonary function, both prior to and after exposure were significantly lower than those of referent individuals. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as cough, phlegm and wheezing in the exposed group was significantly higher than those of referent subjects. Significant, chronic, irreversible, and acute, partially reversible, decrements in parameters of pulmonary function of exposed subjects observed in this study indicate that exposure to pesticides is associated with ventilatory disorders and reduced pulmonary capacities.

Spiritual intelligence is the ability to apply spiritual values and updated so that they improve daily functioning and the individual's physical and mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual intelligence components of burnout in teachers of Yazd city. The research method was descriptive– correlation. Population of this research consisted of female teachers. 133 teachers were selected by using cluster sampling. The instruments of this research were Spiritual intelligence questionnaire and Burnout Inventory. The results showed that the frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization frequency was negative and showed a significant relationship with spiritual intelligence (P<0.01) and there was a significant positive relationship between The frequency and severity of the personal function and spiritual intelligence; however, no relationship was found between the frequency and intensity of conflicts with spiritual intelligence (P>0.05). The training component of spiritual intelligence can prevent some aspects of burnout in teachers.

Lead has been recognized as one of the most dangerous occupational exposures that have acute and chronic effects on major organs of the human body such as the effects on central and peripheral nervous system, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular systems. Blood lead measurement is an essential step for early detection and treatment of lead poisoning. There are different methods for blood lead level measurement. Each has advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we compared the common methods for measuring blood lead level in terms of technique, accuracy, availability, and costs. Based on the available literature, we evaluated various methods of lead measurement and compared from different aspects. Our studies have shown that “Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry” (ICP-MS) has the highest accuracy and the highest levels of costs among the available methods. After that, “Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry” (GFAAS) method have the best accuracy and is the most common procedure that used for the blood lead measurement in laboratories. “Anodic stripping voltammetry” (ASV) is a newer method and have lower costs and ease of use, but its accuracy is at a lower level. This method can be used on site as well. Comparison of different methods showed that we can apply any of these methods depending on desired accuracy, costs and existing facilities for lead measurement in occupational medicine. Using of new literatures in this field could help us to better evaluation of lead poisoning.