Showing 4 results for Fall
Shahram Vosoughi, Mohammad Hossein Chalak, Sajjad Rostamzadeh, Manouchehr Jahanpanah, Hossein Ebrahimi,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (5-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Fall from height is one of the main causes of death in the construction workers. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors affecting falls from height accidents in construction industry.
Material and method: A descriptive-analytical study was conducted on five constructional projects in Pars Jonoobi industrial region, Iran. All of the reported events from 2011 to 2015 were investigated and 74 out of 377 occupational accidents were considered as falls from height accidents. The identified factors and sub-factors were divided into 3 main factors including individual, organizational and environmental factors and 14 sub-factors based on the experts’ opinion. Then, AHP method was used to determine and prioritize of the factors and sub-factors.
Results: The results of hierarchical analysis of fall from height accidents causes showed that environmental, individual, and organizational factors with weights of 0.359, 0.351, and 0.290 were in the first, second, third priorities, respectively. Meanwhile, among all examined sub-factors, work platform elevation, mental/ occupational stresses and safety culture had the highest priority.
Conclusion: Paying attention to the strategies that enhance the safety culture of employees and reduce their occupational stress levels in the workplace can be very effective in preventing of fall from height accidents.
Fateme Heydari Abdolahi, Ali Safari Variani, Mohammad Soleimanabadi, Sakineh Varmazyar,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of the current study was to predict the percentage of the sway index from the static balance point based on the anthropometric dimensions of construction workers.
Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 114 construction workers. First, the construction workers were asked to complete the demographic questionnaire and the inclusion criteria were determined. Then, the anthropometric dimensions were measured. Afterward, the static balance of participants was assessed with their open eyes and standing position using a Stabilometer device. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression.
Results: 29.8% of construction workers were in weak and very weak classes in terms of static balance. The Pearson and spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between age, weight, and sway index of individuals. In addition, multiple linear regression showed that age, weight, and foot surface of construction workers can predict the percentage of the sway index from the static balance point among construction workers.
Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that demographic information such as age, anthropometric parameters of weight, and foot surface are effective factors on static balance in a healthy construction workers’ community with a normal body mass index.
Mousa Jabbari, Hassan Sadeghi Naeini, Parvin Sepehr,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Falls from height rank among the most frequent accidents encountered in construction workplaces. To mitigate such risks, the utilization of suitable personal fall protection equipment, including safety harnesses, proves to be an effective control measure.
Material and Methods: This study involved a comprehensive review of articles pertaining to the study’s objective, published in renowned scientific journals between 2000 and 2021. To achieve this, a meticulous search was conducted across ten scientific-specialized databases, employing eight keywords: “Full body harness,” “fall arrest systems,” “industrial harness,” “harness ergonomic,” “design procedures harness,” “standard for harness,” “fall protection,” and “P.P.E work at height.” The search yielded a collection of relevant articles for analysis and examination.
Results: A total of 101 articles were gathered through the utilization of the specified keywords. Subsequently, a meticulous review process led to the selection of 23 relevant articles for inclusion in the primary study. These chosen articles were categorized into two distinct groups: one focused on the “design of harnesses and optimization of fall arrest systems,” while the other delved into “studies on the consequences of suspension from a height and its effects.” Our findings revealed that 34.7% of the studies evaluated harness safety, 34.7% examined harness ergonomics, and 30.3% investigated suspension consequences.
Conclusion: When a harness is suspended, it leads to physiological changes. Notably, no studies have reported any fatalities resulting from harness suspension. However, the longevity of the suspension greatly depends on utilizing the appropriate harness accessories. The most significant challenge lies in the ergonomic design of the harnesses.
Parvin Sepehr, Mousa Jabbari, Hassan Sadeghi Naeini, Ali Salehi Sahl Abadi, Mansour Ziaei, Vahid Ahmadi Moshiran, Maryam Ahmadian, Younes Mehrifar,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: The safety harness is a critical device for preventing falls from height, particularly in the construction industry. This study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the non-use of safety harnesses during work at height and to evaluate the comfort, satisfaction, and usability of these harnesses among construction workers in Tehran using a custom-designed tool.
Material and Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with construction workers to identify the factors influencing the non-use of safety harnesses. The collected data were analyzed using MAXQDA 10 software. Based on the results, which revealed dissatisfaction with the current safety harnesses, the levels of comfort, satisfaction, and usability were assessed using the Safety Harness Usability and Comfort Assessment Tool (SHUCAT) questionnaire.
Results: The reasons for not using safety harnesses were categorized into four main groups: management factors, worker attitudes, comfort, and harness design. These were further subdivided into 27 subgroups. The average satisfaction and comfort scores for safety harnesses were 26.8 ± 6.25, indicating that workers generally felt uncomfortable and dissatisfied with their harnesses. The average usability score was 38.70 ± 5.60, reflecting poor usability of the harnesses.
Conclusion: Improving the safety harness design could enhance workers’ comfort and satisfaction, increasing their willingness to use the equipment. Incorporating feedback from users and experts into the design process can help address the identified shortcomings and result in better product development.
