دکتر ابراهیم درویشی

Considering the increased number of students, staff and faculties and various educational and research departments in university environments, provision of a safe environment is one of the main challenges in the universities and higher education centers. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive and detailed assessment of risks in different departments of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.

In this descriptive-analytical study we assessed buildings, laboratories, engine room heating systems, libraries and commuting routes at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. Fire risk assessment was performed in three areas of properties, people and activities by FRAME (Fire Risk Assessment Method for Engineering) software. The safety of laboratories was assessed by ACHiL (Assessment and Classification of Hazards in Laboratories) specific method. Failures in buildings, engine room heating systems, electrical panels and equipment were identified and evaluated by the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) method. The safety level of traffic and transportation routes, parking lots and streets were assessed by ET&BA (Energy Trace & Barrier Analysis) method.  

The fire risk level for individuals, properties and activities in all colleges was unfavorable (R˃1). In the laboratory, the main risks were related to chemicals such as pressurized cylinders (R=12), corrosive substances (R=6) and toxic solutions (R=6). In the buildings, the highest risks were related to a fault in the emergency condition plan, non standard height of the stairs case and low width of the stairs. Also, in the engine room heating systems, most of the risks were related to fuel tanks (leaks of valves) and boilers (excessive temperature and pressure) with R2˃00. The electrical safety status was assessed unsuitable due to failures in the protection systems (grounding system and life-saving switch). Chemical and potential energies were among the most important energies damaging the paths and passages.

The safety level of the campus is unfavorable and the safety conditions in all departments and activities are alarming. The main risk is the risk of fire and the most dangerous part is the engine room. Therefore, effective planning to control and manage the risks in the campus complex should be done on the basis of risk priority.e safety situation can help universities and academic institutions develop an effective risk management program.

People spent most of their time indoors. Therfore, quality of  indoor air ,especially in the therapeutic settings is of particular importance. This study aimed to determine the level of pollutants in indoor and outdoor air of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study 120 indoor and outdoor air samples were collected by TES-5200 copper counterpart machine made by TES company in Taiwan. Particulate matter samples were collected from 9 wards and also 3 stations in every ward in the hospital. Also air samples were obtained from 3 selected stations outside the hospital. Samples were taken from the selected sites  twice. The results were analyzed by Excel and SPSS software.

According to the results of this study, the highest and lowest concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM4, PM7, PM10) belonged to the emergency room and the operating room, respectively. The highest level of PM1 concentration was detected in the ICU ward. There was no significant relationship between temperature and particle concentration and also between moisture and particle concentration in the wards of the hospital. In regard to particulate matter, the emergency department was the most contaminated ward and the operating room had the best condition.

The relationship between the concentrations of particles in the outdoor and indoor air indicated the penetration of these particles from outside into the hospital building. Also, outdoor air can affect indoor air quality.

Exposure to vibration is one of the occupational agents that causes a variety of health effects. The aim of this study was to determine the association between exposure to human vibration and the physical performance of mining drivers.

In the present study, 65 drivers working in one of the Iron Ore mines, were asked to complete the standard questionnaire for assessing the level of disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH). Exposure to human vibration was measured using Svantek 106 vibrometer. Drivers' physical performance was assessed based on grip strength, Pegboard dexterity, and monofilament finger sensory tests. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software.

The average vibration acceleration whole body (WBV) and hand-arm (HAV) were 1.00±0.23 and 2.46±0.68 m/s2 respectively. There was a significant relationship between exposure to HAV and grip strength and hand dexterity (p <0.05). According to the DASH score, 56.9% of drivers had mild and 43.1% had moderate upper limb disability. The results of the multiple regression model with a coefficient of determination of 0.207 showed that the WBV in the presence of other predictor variables had a significant effect on DASH score (p<0.05).

In mining truck drivers, WBV exposure was higher and HAV exposure was lower than the national exposure limits. The results confirmed that WBV caused by mining trucks is the most important risk factor affecting the level of drivers' disability.

The pandemic and the crisis caused by the COVID-19 have challenged health care organizations around the world, causing human casualties and health concerns around the world and in Iran. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mental workload and job burnout of medical employees during the Covid-19 pandemic in Iran.

The present descriptive-analytic research has been conducted on 510 medical and diagnostic staff in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Sanandaj. The mental workload and the job burnout of staff have been evaluated using NASA-TLX software and the job burnout Maslach, respectively. Statistical tests including t-test, ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data using a STATA-14 software package.

The mean mental workload of employees associated with patients suffering COVID-19 and those who were not associated was estimated at 83.7±8.1 and 79.9±9.6 respectively. The mean of job burnout was estimated at 79.6±16.2 and 79.7±16.9, respectively, which were not statistically significant. The results of linear regression showed that being married (coefficient = -6.57, P-value = 0.003), employment as a Tarh (coefficient = -12.71, P-value = 0.002), inverse relationship and Work in Isfahan hospitals (coefficient = 21.21, P-value <0.001) was directly related to burnout. Women (coefficient = 3.61, P-value <0.001), having a relationship with COVID-19 patients (coefficient = 5.9, P-value <0.001) had a direct relationship with the amount of mental work.

The mental workload and job burnout in medical employees during the Covid-19 pandemic are high and warning and the mental workload in employees who are associated with patients suffering COVID-19 is higher than other employees.

Exposure limit of employees with ergonomic risk factors should be managed based on domestic and international laws and regulations. Manual tasks are tasks due to which a person is required to use part of the body to lift, lower, push, pull, carry and hold the material. The purpose of this study was to introduce ergonomics with the implementation of the PErforM Participatory ergonomics program.

The present study was carried out on all employees working in the Reactor Charging Unit of a resin company during the year 2017. The participatory ergonomics for manual tasks (PErforM) Method was used to manage ergonomic risks due to manual tasks. After holding several training sessions, ergonomic risks have been identified and evaluated using the ManTRA (Manual Tasks Risk Assessment) tool and also by staff. Then interventions suggested by the staff using the DotMocracy tool were eventually implemented. Also, the proposed interventions were simulated before implementation, in order to assess interventions’ implementation.

The tasks of pushing pallets containing 800 kg bags and machines with 25 kg bags were identified as risky manual tasks using ManTRA. After the interventions using participatory ergonomics, the intensity of repetitive tasks and force in the areas of the hands, shoulders and lower back were reduced.

Generally, the PErforM has a high capacity to modify employee’s exposure to ergonomic risk factors, as well as to discover effective, simple, and effective control strategies. However, achieving this goal requires the promotion of ergonomic knowledge and management commitment.

Lighting affects many non-visual functions such as Circadian Rhythm, alertness, core body temperature, hormone secretion and sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lighting on human cognitive and mental performance in the form of a systematic review.
in order to access to articles, search was conducted from databases including ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, PubMed and Science Direct. The search were done using the keywords "Lighting" and "Illumination" and "Cognitive Performance", "Mental Performance", Memory "", "Attention", "Concentration" by title, keyword and abstracts of articles published in databases mentioned from 2010 to 2016.
Lighting is affecting on human performance in three areas of Psycho-cognetive (including visual comfort, visual perception, color recognition, identification of symbols, attention, working memory, learning, reaction time and brain function), Biocognitive area (including alertness, mood, vitality, subjective feelings, motivation and well-being and quality of sleep) and the Mental workload (amount of workload, psychological stress, mental fatigue) is. The best of light is bright daylight in the morning with a short wavelength (wavelength 420-480 nm) and high intensity (1000lx) in the regulation of cognitive processes, biological (circadian rhythm) and mental.
Lighting design should be such that in addition to comfort and visual needs, also, it should provide the non-visual and cognitive needs such as attention, alertness, mood, sleep quality and decrease mental fatigue and eventually well-bing.

Working in the mines particularly in underground mines is one of the hard and harmful jobs due to occurring different accidents and diseases. The aim of this study was application of job analysis and William Fine to identify and control hazards in a uranium mine. The risk assessment was conducted using job safety analysis (JSA) in 22 jobs with high accident frequency and severity rates. Data were collected for analysis using observation and interview methods and frequency of job risks was identified. William Fine method was used to evaluate health risks, make decision, and prioritize corrective measures for the hazards. 182 risks were identified as a result of JSA. The most probable risks were identified as radiation exposure and rock falls with respective relative frequency of 42 and 18%. According to the results of William Fine, oxygen deficiency, radon gas inhalation, exposure to ionizing radiation, and serving activities had the highest level of risk with respective scores of 3600, 3000, 3000, and 3000. Carpentry operations and compressor operator had the lowest level of risk score of 60 and 180, respectively. Radiation is the major risk in uranium mining operations. Therefore, the basic control measures including using the wet mountain cutting method (to prevent from radioactive dust dispersion), ventilation of radon gas in the tunnel, monitoring the gases after blasting process, personnel training, and the risk assessment routinely should be done for all the mining operations.

In the steel industry, a wide range of machinery and equipment is used in the manufacturing process, are considered as sources of annoying noise. This study aimed to assess the environmental sound level and the noise exposure in the steel industry. After identifying the sources and characteristics of sound equipment in the production process Measurement of noise level and dosimetry was performed using sound level meter model of Cell.450 and dosimeter model TES-1345. Distribution of noise level in the investigated workshop in form of noise map was provided using AutoCAD software. The rate of hearing loss workers was extracted during three consecutive years. Hearing loss workers were analyzed to the equivalent sound level of exposure and the dose received. 18.5% of measurement stations were in the danger zone. The sound pressure level in the furnace, energy, costing and material workroom was 97.6, 95, 89.7 and 83 dB(A) respectively. Sound pressure level was more than 90dB (A) in the blast furnace, blower and cooling tower units. The average of noise dose in blast furnace, costing, blower, bag filter and cooling tower was 282.8%, 295.1%, 239.9%, 234% and 180.5% respectively. Average NIHL workers in three consecutive years were 12.4, 14.5 and 15.4 dBA, respectively. Noise pollution in blast furnace, costing and blower units is high So that the mean hearing loss of workers has increased to 1.5dB per year. Therefore, appropriate control measures should be taken in these units.

Job stress can affected negative effects on organizational commitment, loyalty to organization, and job performance. The aim of this study was to survey of job stress and its relationship with organizational commitment and job performance in prison staff of Ilam province. The study was conduced on 177 employees of the Organization of prisons and security measures of Ilam (include central prison of Ilam, vocational training and occupational integration of Dalab, prison of Darehshahr and juvenile institution). Data was collected with HSE job stress scale, Allen and Meyer's Organizational Commitment Questionnaire, and Paterson job performance questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and general linear model, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. The results showed that the mean stress score (± SD) was in the central prison of Ilam, vocational training and occupational integration of Dalab, prison of Darehshahr and juvenile institution 74/98 (81/14 ±), 60 / 95 (08/15 ±), 12/99 (12/19 ±) and 71/85 (71/15 ±), respectively. It also was found that there was no significant relationship between job stress and organizational commitment, but there was a statistically significant relationship between job stress and job performance. Job stress had no significant effect on organizational commitment prison, but had a significant effect on job performance. Implementing appropriate measures is essential to manage, reduce or eliminate occupational stress and its stressors for increase of personal health and the quality and quantity of their job performance.

Job stress is one of the important social phenomenon’s in life and serious threat to the health workforce. Job Stress is caused when there is an imbalance between worker skills and job requirements. The purpose of this study was to Evaluation of effective factors on occupational stress in firefighting personnel. A cross-sectional and descriptive- analytical study was conducted in 50 man firefighters in sanandaj. After Basic data collection, national Institute of Mental Health job stress Questionnaire was used to assess job stress which consists of 3 sections interpersonal relationships, physical and environmental conditions and Job favorites. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS19. 86% of the studied personnel were married and 14% of them were single. Participants ‘ages category were 16% Less than 30 year, 52% between 30-40, 32% more than 40 year. Participants work experience category were 22% less than 5 years, 28% between 5-10, 30% between 10 15 and 20% had more than 15 years. Their mean job stress was 172.7 and was estimated high stress level and physical and environmental agent had the highest mean score of stress. Statistical analysis showed that job, work experience, and job satisfaction are significantly associated with job stress. It seems that firefighters were being at risk of job stress disorder and type of job and work experience is the main factors affecting it. Job stress can decrease job satisfaction.

In the steel industry, workers are often exposed to high concentrations of dust particles of raw materials such as iron ore, coke, manganese, and metal fumes such as iron oxides, manganese and silicon which can affect respiratory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between exposure to respiratory pollutants and pulmonary function tests capacities in steel factory workers. In this historical cohort study, a total of 260 workers were divided into two groups. One group was exposed and the other group was not exposed to respiratory pollutants. Environmental sampling was used to evaluate the type, distribution and exposure rate. In order to evaluate respiratory problems and lung function of the workers we used ATS standard questionnaire and spirometry, respectively, based on ATS/ERS guidelines. The mean total dust levels measured in bag filter, blast furnace, material supply and casting units were 13.32, 12.015, 11.75 and 10.98 mg/m3 respectively. The measured mean values for fume particles in blast furnace and casting units were 8.54 and 6.81 mg/m3 respectively. 37.6% of the workers had a history of respiratory symptoms, 32.3% of them were among the exposed group (p<0.05). Mean percentages of FEV1/FVC were significant in exposed and unexposed groups. Mean percentages of FVC and FEV1 in the exposed group were lower than those of ATS standard range, but the relationship was not significant. It seems that workers exposed to pollutants are at risk of developing respiratory symptoms and reduced spirometric indices. Therefore, appropriate measures should be considered to reduce the impact of pollutants.

Subjective workload (SWL) is a general concept in ergonomics literature. SWL is defined as the costs to the operator's health to achieve a certain level of performance. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of SWL for musculoskeletal disorders in bank employees in Kurdistan Province. This analytical - descriptive study included 200 employees from the banks of Kurdistan Province. NASA-TLX software and general Nordic questionnaire were used for the assessment of subjective work load and the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by means of SPSS19. 78% of the subjects were male and 22% were female. The mean age and mean work background of the subjects were 36.28 and 14.2 years, respectively. On the whole, 48% of the staff had experienced pain at least once during the past year with highest frequency in the neck (48%), lower back (44%), and upper back (36%). The NASA Index showed that the bank staffs have scored the effort scale and efficiency scale with respective mean values and SD of 72.8±25.3 and 36.0±22.6, as the maximum and minimum values among the various aspects of workload. Data analysis revealed that mean subjective workload had statistically significant relationships with matrimony, work background, and also with prevalence and experience of pain (P=0.0001). The rate of subjective workload and musculoskeletal disorders in bank staff are high to the same degree and it seems that subjective workload scales not only add to the subjective workload but also act as a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders.

Safety culture is considered as the core of an organization’s safety management system. Safety culture is an organization ability to achieve higher standards of safety. The aim of this study was to investigate safety culture and its influencing factors and relation to the accident in a dam construction project. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 workers at a dam construction project. A standardized questionnaire included 59 questions was used to determine the level of safety culture. The accidents occurred in the project during the year were collected based on demographic characteristics. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. The mean age of the subjects, their work experience and score of safety culture were 35.05, 7.5 Years and 183.2, respectively. Twenty seven accidents were recorded during the year in project. The most common cause of the accidents was indiscretions (33.3%). There was a statistically significant correlation between safety culture to occurred accidents and history of accident (P<0.05). The percentage of a positive safety culture of workers with an experience of accident (71.8%) was more than that of those with no experience of accident (45.1%). There was not a statistically significant correlation between safety culture and age, work experience, education, and marital status. It seems that safety culture on the project is influenced by the experience of accident and also it was strongly significant with the occurred accidents. Consequently, in order to create a positive safety culture in the workplace many factors including safety education program, work experience and accidents analysis should be considered.

Exposure to high temperatures is common among workers in hot environments and can lead to physiological adverse effects. Heat radiation from hot surfaces and inflamed ways to get the most important heat is the exposure ways of the workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of control methods of radiant heat in workers exposed in a blast furnace steel industry. In this study, two main solutions include reducing radiant heat to control the temperature of the hot surface of the design and installation of heat-absorbing water pipes in the body blast furnace and the control of emission radiation heat of the installation reflective shield in the work station were studied. WBGT index before and after implementation of the intervention based on standard methods for evaluating was measured the effectiveness of the interventions at the work station. Environmental radiation temperature distribution in the furnace area was drawn before and after the intervention. Environmental parameters were measured using the WBGT meter manufactured by Casella Co. Evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions based on physiological strain index to measure skin temperature, heart rate before and after the intervention was performed in 20 workers according to standard methods. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. The effectiveness of interventions, use of thermal absorbents in the body of the furnace and reflective shield exposed in a straight exposure line, radiation temperature and work station WBGT index was decreased 20, 3/9°C and 18.6 and 2.5°C respectively. Combination of control measures radiation temperature and work station WBGT index was decreased respectively by 26.5 and 5.2°C. After applying heat absorbing and reflective shield, mean skin temperature of workers and heart rate was declined 2.6°C and 3.6 bpm respectively. Use of thermal absorbents in the body of blast furnace was more effective due to the intervention of the heat radiation source. However, the combination control measures have the best performance to reduce thermal stress and strain caused by thermal radiation in the blast furnace workers.

In the steel industry, air blowers used to supply compressed air are considered as sources of annoying noise. This study aims to design acoustic room chamber in order to noise control of air blower. Measuring of the noise level along with frequency analysis were performed by using sound level meter model of CASELLA-Cell.450. Dosimetery in order to worker exposure was performed using the dosimeter model TES-1345. Linear sound power level of machine was calculated based on ISO 3746. Distribution of noise emission of the source was shown in form of workroom noise maps using Surfer software. Acoustic analysis of workroom was performed based on sound absorption characteristic of internal surfaces. In order to noise control, an enclosure along with condensed sandwich panels for blower was designed and finally, the effect of this intervention was estimated. The results showed the total sound pressure level of the air blower was 95.4dB (Lin) in which the dominant frequency was 2000 Hz. Moreover, sound power level of the air blower in the dominant frequency was 102.94dB (Lin). The effective absorption surface of workroom was estimated equal to 0.082 and the average occupational noise exposure level based on noise dose was equal to 230%. The designed enclosure along with the steel and fiberglass as a primary insulation layer and punched sheet by steel layer as absorption sound on internal surfaces, actual transmission loss in the dominant frequency, by taking 0.001 opening, was estimated 30dB. gearbox and compressor was the main cause air blower noise that is created Because of the Spiral gearing wheels spinning rotor gearbox parts and the interaction between the rotary and fixed blades move air through the compressor is caused. Enclosure design noise dose received by worker reduced to less than 20 percent. Keywords: module design, air blower, noise control, acrostic analysis, steel industry.

Musculoskeletal disorders are a major part of occupational diseases in working environments. Prevention of the occurrence of these problems requires the use of ergonomic assessment techniques and intervention to improve working conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in workers in the blast furnace unit and the intervention to reduce the prevalence of these disorders. This study conducted on 24 people working in the furnace unit. Medical records of furnace workers were reviewed and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ) was completed. Drilling operation and oxygenation task were assessed by using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and workers were given the necessary training. Work stations of oxygenation for 24 workers were redesign and Drilling operation was mechanized. And employed workers with musculoskeletal disorders were changed. REBA and NMQ were used to reassess the intervention effects. According to medical records and results of NMQ about 37. 5 percent of workers had musculoskeletal disorders. REBA final score was 11 and 10 for the drilling and oxygenation tasks respectively. After redesigning the workstation، REBA final score was 5 for the oxygenation task and the drilling operation removed by mechanized. With the amendment procedures of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced 17. 5 percent. According to REBA Score، the risk of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced by implementing amendments to the furnace unit and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders also significantly reduced.

Manual material handling activities in long and short periods may lead to complications such as laceration، fracture، cardiovascular stress، muscle fatigue، and musculoskeletal disorders especially in the vertebrae column. The purpose of this study was to assess manual handling of oxygen cylinders by casting workers and to implement ergonomic intervention to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. This is an interventional study conducted among 18 male workers of a steel casting unit. Assessment of manual handling of oxygen cylinders، was done using in order Snook tables. The manual handling of oxygen cylinders was changed to mechanical handling and making a box with the capacity of 16 oxygen cylinders which can be moved by crane. According to the results، lifting and lowering cylinders was not suitable for most of the workers. Moreover، caring، pulling and pushing was suitable for less than 10 percent of the workers. Condition of lifting cylinders by fire workers was suitable only 25 percent of them. According to the snook tables material handling activities must be suitable for at least 75 percent of workers. With the implementation of ergonomic intervention is casting unit، the risk of exposure to musculoskeletal disorders caused by manual handling of oxygen cylinders was eliminated and safety of employees against the risk of explosion of the cylinders in comparison with before the intervention was improved.