Journal of Health and Safety at Work

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Introduction: Patient safety is an important issue in regard to hospital servicesand any problem can cause adverse consequences. The purpose of this study was to assess the patients’safety culture at educational hospitals in Tehran.

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Material and Method: The present descriptive-cross sectional study was carried out among 312 health care workers in Baharloo, Amir Aalam, Shariati and Sina hospitals in Tehran, which were selected by cluster sampling. The participants were chosen randomly in each cluster. Safety Culture Survey questionnaire including 12 dimensions was used to assess patient safety culture. Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest coefficient were estimated 81 and 79 percent, respectively.

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Result: Nurses comprised 61 percent of participants in the study. 42% of staff had less than 5 years work experience. Of the 12 dimensions of patient safety culture, the frequency of reporting and exchange of information had the minimum average of 56 and 55, respectively. Moreover, the dimensions of organizational learning and expectations-management measuresobtained the highestmean score (69)among 12 dimensions of patient safety culture. Total mean patient safety culture in understudy hospitals was 63.

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Conclusion: It should be noted that paying more attention to the patient safety culture can lead to improve hospitals condition, as a whole, and to have a patient-friendly environment. Special attention should be paid to dimensions with the lowest mean score in order to strengthen them.

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Introduction: The bank employees usually require the use of computers for long duration in a static position to get the work done. The present study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorder using the ROSA method among the employees of Sepah Bank. An ergonomic intervention was also performed in order to improve the working conditions.

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Material and Methods: This interventional descriptive-analytical study was carried out among 165 office employees of central building of Sepah Bank. Using random sampling, the subjects were initially divided into two groups of case and control. Before and after the intervention, ROSA method and Nordic questionnaire was respectively used to evaluate the risk factors that cause musculoskeletal disorders and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The data were collected two weeks prior the interventions and 9 months after the interventions. SPSS software version 16 was utilized for data analysis and the effectiveness of intervention was determined.

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Results: Before the intervention, the mean ROSA scores of all groups' workstations were above 5 with high risk. The results obtained 9 months after the interventions manifested a statistically significant decrease (P<0.001) in the ROSA mean scores and its components in the groups who received the interventions. 9 months after the intervention, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the subjects who had received intervention showed a significant reduction, as well (0.001> p).

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Conclusion: Using the ROSA technique was seemed to be beneficialto assess the ergonomic risk factors of office works, and the deficiencies in the workstation can be identified through this method. Moreover,by design and implementation of an educational intervention program along with engineering interventions which comply with the elements of this technique, the defects can be eliminated.

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Introduction: The use of hearing protective devices (HPDs) is the last way for noise control. It is important to know the information about the duration time using these devices to ensure protetion effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing duration time of the using of the devices on hearing loss in tile industry workers with application of the BASNEF education model.  

Material and Method: Task Base Method (TBM) and ISO9612(2009) standard methods through a noise dosimeter device were used to exmine workers’ noise exposure level when they didn’t used of HPDs. Actual performance of HPDs was determined by using the NIOSH standard before and after training intervention and measuring time of use and protection device type. Data were analyzed using SPSSVv19 and conducting t-test and ANCOVA statistical tests.   

Result: Before training intervention, the actual noise level for case workers was 89.76 dBA. On the contrary, this value was 84.04 dBA for after intervention, with a significant difference with control group (P<0.0001) using ANCOVA analysis. In control group, the actual level of noise has not changed because this group has not received any training.

Conclusion: The results revealed that, based on BASNEF education model, duration time of using hearing protection devices is effective on increasing their function and performance.

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Introduction: Job stress is one of the occupational hazards in the modern era. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health introduced the nursing job as a top 40 stressful jobs. In this job, multiple training techniques are considered to reduce stress and stress factors. This study was conducted to response the question “Is the use of health education programs can be effective in reducing job stress?”

Material and Method: Electronic search was done using key words in Persian and English database (Medical Sciences, Iran Medex), Scientific Information Database (SID), Bio Med Central, Pub Med, Science Direct) and were found 3,412 paper totally. Articles examined based on defined criteria and 9 qualified articles were discussed systematically.

Result: Among the reviewed studies, educational interventions in 7 studies were without, and 2 studies were with the use of health education models. The results of studies indicated significant effect of educational interventions on reducing job stress and using health education models in interventions had a greater effect on reducing job stress.

Conclusion: The results highlights the importance of educational interventions based on health education models to reduce occupational stress among nurses.

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Introduction: Occupational health is one of the important issues that can affect productivity and economic development of an organization. This study aimed to determine the effect of didactic interventional Ergonomic-Safety program on workers’ productivity of an assembling industry.
Methods and Materials: This interventional study was conducted on 54 workers of assembling part of an electronic industry. Firstly, QEC method was used for Ergonomic assessment of work place and Hersey-Goldsmith questionnaire was applied for assessment of productivity. Then a comprehensive program was provided using findings of first stage assessment and identifying of existing failures. Second assessment of Ergonomic condition and productivity was done again by using QEC method and Hersey-Goldsmith questionnaire within three month of interventions. Data was analyzed by using of R software.
Results: Mean total productivity score and mean whole body score of QEC were 75.24 and 99.40 in before intervention phase respectively. In after intervention phase, Mean total productivity score and mean whole body score of QEC were 80.16 and 97.92 respectively. Data analysis by paired-samples t-test shows that difference of productivity score in before and after intervention phase was significant (P-value˂0.05). But difference of whole body score of QEC score in before and after intervention phase was not significant (P-value>0.05).
Conclusion: Accomplishment of Ergonomic-Safety intervention had a positive effect on productivity score whereas had not significant effect on general condition of body limbs.

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Introduction: Risk perception to safety and health is particularly important and affects behavior. Most of accidents occur because people do not have proper understanding about them. Accidents may be an important consequence of risk perception or, more precisely, an inaccurate perception of risk. Education has been always widely recognized as an important component of occupational risk management programs. The aim of this study was investigating the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on firefighters’ risk perception in operational units.
Material and Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial performed on 92 firefighters, in Rasht, in 2019. Cluster sampling method was carried out, and the firefighters were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups with equal numbers. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire with the three sections including demographic variables, risk perception, theory of planned behavior constructs. The educational program consisted of five sessions of 30-75 minutes for each group (six groups of 7-8 firefighters). The data were collected before and one month after educational intervention, and analyzed by Chi-square, independent and paired-sample T test, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon using SPSS software version 21.
Results: The mean age of firefighters was 35.91±5.17 years, and no significant difference was observed between the two groups in demographic variables. Before the educational intervention, no significant difference was seen between the intervention and control groups in risk perception, the model constructs and self-report behaviors, but after performing the educational intervention the variables were significantly increased in the intervention group.
Conclusion: The current study results showed an improvement in firefighters’ risk perception due to educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior. Thus, the theory of planned behavior can be used as a theoretical framework for the design and implementation of firefighters’ risk perception.

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Introduction: The development and implementation of effective safety educational program for minimizing hazards in a farm, is the most important activity that can be done to improve safety level there. This program, however, requires to needs assessment process. So, the present study was designed to analyze of the educational needs of farmers in the field of agricultural occupational health.
Material and Methods: This quantitative study was conducted with a survey method. Statistical population consisted of farmers in Mahidasht County, Kermanshah Province, Iran (N =213), where 140 farmers was selected as sample by simple random sampling method and base on Krejcie & Morgan table. Research instrument was research made questionnaire that its validity confirmed by a panel of experts and the reliability was confirmed through a pilot study and calculation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. SPSS/16 software was used for data analysis.
Results: Findings showed that educations in the field of occupational health were done neither sufficient nor according to the principles. Educational needs identified in the area included exposure to noise, exposure to dust, ergonomic issues, compliance with hygiene and protection principles in spraying, individual protection in working with tractors and other machinery.
Conclusion: Dangers of farming in one hand and the lack of appropriate education and  the farmers’ dissatisfaction in the other hand, has highlighted the necessity of implementing correct eductional programs according to needs assessment principles in Mahidasht County. In this regard, considering the knowledge and occupational health behaviors of the studied farmers, they need to receive education in most areas of health, among which, environmental hazards (sun and noise, dust on farms), ergonomic issues, proper and safe use of chemical input and adherence to safety principles in working with agricultural machinery are considered priorities.

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Introduction: Usability is a criterion that indicates a product’s applicability and ease of use. A usable product allows the user to perform a task correctly and quickly, preventing errors and fatigue. The present study aimed to determine the ergonomic usability of the Zanjan University of Medical Sciences website of educational management system from the students’ viewpoint in 2019 and 2020.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the usability of one of the websites for educational management systems using a standard questionnaire. The study examined the utility of web-based applications in the research processes automation field. The questionnaire was embedded in Google Forms and emailed to Zanjan University of Medical Sciences students, 404 of which returned. The data were analyzed with a 0.05 confidence level using SPSS software version 16.
Results: The 404 participants’ data showed that among the questionnaire nine factors, the highest and intermediate-range mean were for “Ease of Use” at 19 and 4 and for “Ease of Learning” at 18 and 4. Moreover, they were 13 and 3 for “System Capabilities,” 13 and 2 for “System Usability,” and 10 and 2 for “User Satisfaction.” In addition, “Errors Management” received 10 and 2, “Display” 10 and 2, “System Terms and Information” 8 and 2, and “User Environment Personalization” 5.5 and 3 as their highest and intermediate-range mean, respectively. Most questionnaires did not differ significantly depending on the age variable, meaning that different age groups had similar answers to most factors. The two sexes showed a significant difference in the responses to the “Usefulness of the System,” “Ease of Learning,” and “Display.” A significant difference for other factors was found in examining the relationship between educational level and the questionnaire factors. However, the “Error Management” and “Display” factors did not significantly differ, considering the educational levels.
Conclusion: The results showed that more attention should be paid to ease of use and learning in re-designing this website. However, it is necessary to consider all factors affecting usability.

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Introduction: Emergency technicians face workplace violence and increasing occupational stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a virtual self-management training in communication skills on occupational stress and the degree of aggression among emergency technicians.
Material and Methods: This study involved 60 emergency technicians randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. They completed surveys on workplace violence and occupational stress. The intervention group received six weeks of a virtual self-management training in communication skills. Data was collected after two months and analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The findings showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the control group (110.08±11.92) and the two intervention groups (114.39±11.25) in terms of the average occupational stress before the intervention; The average job stress score between the intervention (94.0±12,70) and control (98.81± 20,81) groups significantly differed following the intervention (p=0.034); After the intervention, the intervention group had lower verbal and physical abuse frequencies compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The virtual self-management communication training demonstrated the potential to reduce occupational stress but did not significantly decrease the violence towards the emergency technicians. A comprehensive training program addressing violence factors and communication techniques, implemented over a longer period, is recommended.