Journal of Health and Safety at Work

Introduction: Given the increase of road transportation of dangerous materials, if an accident occurs, the first groups that present at the scene are rescue groups (emergency، red crescent and firefighters). The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the questionnaire assessing level of knowledge in the rescue personnel regarding warning signs mounted on the road heavy machinery.

Material and Method: Firstly, a multiple-choice questionnaire was designed using the literature and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Validity of the questionnaire was examined using the viewpoints of 10 experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using test-retest in 20 subjects of the rescue groups in two-week intervals. The cut point of the questionnaire was determined by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC).

Result: The mean of age and work experience of the participants was 32.42 ± 2.57 and 7.75 ± 2.70. The results of correlation between the questions of the test showed that Cronbach’s alpha is 0.708. Also, the stability and reliability of test scores over time showed that the correlation between the questions in the first and second series was significance at acceptable level (r=0.698 with P-value=0.012(. The best value of cut point in the questionnaire of knowledge in the rescue personnel as obtained 18.5, with the sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 50%.

Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the knowledge assessment questionnaire in the rescue personnel were confirmed regarding the warning signs mounted on the road heavy machines; therefore, it can be used in the future studies.

Introduction: Considering the necessity of evaluating novel thermal indices for different individual and environmental conditions, the aim of this study was validation of a new enthalpy index for evaluation of heat stress in hot and dry climate.

Material and Method: In this descriptive analytical 97 city services outdoor workers were randomly selected and evaluated in spring and summer seasons in Qom city, Iran. Correlation between new enthalpy index and standard WBGT index, as well as physiological response of deep body temperature was studied and analyzed.

Result: Findings showed that regardless of the time of measurements, correlation between enthalpy and WBGT index was better than its correlation with tympanic temperature (R2= 0.756 versus R2= 0.391). Considering the time of measurement, it was found that with increasing temperature and decreasing humidity, the correlation between indices was reduced, although the correlation ratio was maintained similar.

Conclusion: Due to the simplicity of the enthalpy index measurement ,its independency to measure the globe temperature and the possibility of estimation of this index using daily climate parameters in meteorological stations, and on the other hand, appropriate validity of enthalpy against WBGT and core temperature, it can be a good alternative for WBGT index and as a screening index for thermal environments in hot and dry condition.