Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

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Introduction: One of the major problems in hospitals leading to high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the health staff is associated with patients handling. This study was aimed to reduce musculoskeletal disorders using ergonomic intervention among Nahavand Alimoradian hospital staff.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in four wards of 160-bed Nahavand Alimoradian hospital. The data collecting tool was Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. SPSS software was used for data analysis. The questionnaire was completed, before and after educational intervention, for 46 employees of the four wards which had the most complaints about musculoskeletal disorders. Training classes were held for the target group covering prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, proper techniques for patient handling and stretching exercises for low back pain prevention.

Results: The main results tended to be the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders especially in low back, shoulders and wrists of the employees. Low back pain was the most prevalent disorder among the personnel. The educational intervention had not significant effect on lessening the musculoskeletal disorders in hospital staff (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: At present, regarding enhancements in healthcare procedures, there is an urgent need to ergonomic intervention in the design of environment, tools and equipment concurrent with educational intervention. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

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Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are amongst dominant occupational injuries and disabilities in developed and developing countries. The RULA technique is one of the best methods for assessing upper limbs postures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the working postures using RULA and ergonomic interventions in the quality control unit of a glass manufacturing company.

Material and Methods: This interventional study was conducted in the mirror control workstations of a glass manufacturing company. To assess workers’ postures, the RULA technique was applied before and after the intervention. After data analysis, corrective engineering measures were recommended and implemented in all workstations.

Results: The findings showed that 40% of workers had a grand score of 7, 40% with a grand score of 6 and 20% with a grand score of 5. Accordingly, 60% of workstations were in action level of 3 (i.e. investigation and changes are required soon) and 40% of workstations were in action level of 4 (i. e. investigation and changes are required immediately). After intervention, 20% of workstations were in action level of 3 and 80% were in action level of 2.

Conclusion: To prevent musculoskeletal disorders, increase work efficiency and improve workforce health, with positive interaction of research team and remarkable cooperation of company management, engineering interventions were designed and implemented at all workstations   and the risk level was reduced efficiently. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

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Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the main causes of work related injuries and disabilities in developed as well as developing countries. Few studies have considered different interactive effects of individual and work-related factors on MSDs, simultaneously. Methods and Materials: Data were gathered by Nordic questionnaire and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method and were analyzed using logistic regression model in order to study the correlation between the prevalence and intensity of MSDs and individual and work-related factors. Results: More than half of all participants (61.6%) reported suffering from one form of MSDs during the past 6 months. Results showed that risk factors such as work stress, sleeping position, lifestyle and poor posture had an important role in the prevalence and intensity of MSDs. Discussion: The effect of a risk factor is constantly in interaction with other risk factors, and is modified by other factors. Participatory ergonomic intervention programs, work station intervention, ergo stress intervention and life-style interventions were suggested in order to decrease the prevalence and intensity of MSDs.

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Introduction: Three methods of OCRA Index, Strain Index and ACGIH HAL are proposed to assess risk factors of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. These methods are important in work environments to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders. Thus the aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the results of the above mentioned methods. Materials and Methods: In this cross - sectional study, a total of 150 job tasks studied in four industries . For each task, not only video taping was used to record the duration of a full cycle but also tasks were evaluated according to instructions. The correlation coefficient and the coefficient of agreement were analysed using SPSS16 and R software. Results: Correlation between the results of risk assessment methods OCRA and SI for right and left hand, were acceptable correlation (0.751) and (0.726) respectively. Also the result of agreement between the methods OCRA and HAL for right and left hands, were (0.526) and (0.595) respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that none of the two methods do not fully agree. One of the source of differences is the number and types of variables and their effects on the final score of the methods.

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Match between school furniture dimensions and children’s anthropometric dimentions in male elementary schools. Rashid Heidari Moghaddam1, Rasoul Ahmadi2 , Majid Motamedzade3, Ghodratollah Roshanaie4 stract: Introduction: Given the important role of appropriate furniture in the posture of the students and that non ergonomic furniture can produce uncomfortable posture, low ‌‌‌back pain, neck pain, lack of concentration and discomfort, therefore, this study examine match between school furniture dimensions and children’s anthropometric dimensions in male elementary schools in Hamadan city. Materials and Methods: In this study 600 children have been studied. Their weight and height and their anthropometric dimensions included shoulder height, elbow height, knee height, popliteal height, popliteal-bottock length and hip breadth have been measured. Then, the fitness between current furniture's dimensions and calculated ergonomic dimensions have compared. Results: : Findings showed that dimensions of available furniture included seat height, seat depth, seat width, back rest height, desk height, underneath desk height and anthropometric dimensions of students was not matched. This study has shown that by increasing the seat depth and decreasing the seat height in new designs, they have relatively improved in compare with the old designs. Conclusion: Available school furniture dimensions in Hamadan elementary schools are not appropriate for most students and induce postural discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders. Key words: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, Design, Furniture 1- Department of Ergonomics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Research Center, School of Public Health. Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamedan, Iran. 2- Corresponding author, Ergonomics graduate student, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. 3- Professor, Department of Occupational Hygiene, School of Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. 4- Roshanaei, Ghodratollah, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Modeling of Noncommunicable diseases Research center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

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Background: Psychosocial factors are present in most workplaces that could affect various aspects of workers’ health. Accordingly, psychosocial risks may lead to work related musculoskeletal disorders, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, effect on quality of working life, sickness absence, depression work injuries and accidents and various health problems. The aim of the present study was to assess work psychosocial problems and their association with non-fatal occupational accidents among Aghmary workers of Iranian drilling rigs. Methods: A cross-sectional study using the short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) was carried out on a total sample of 270 employees working on Aghmary system in drilling rigs. History of non-fatal occupational accidents was assessed by self-report during one year prior to the study. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 16.0. Results: The results showed that high work pace (OR=1.55), high emotional demands (OR=1.62), high influence at work (OR=1.5), low quality of leadership (OR=1.8), low social support (OR=1.87), high burnout (OR=1.72) and high threat of violence (OR=6.2) were significantly related to non-fatal occupational accident. Conclusions: This study revealed the significant association between occupational accident and some psychosocial dimensions and recommended the incorporation of psychosocial factors in preventive measures.

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Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational diseases and injuries. The importance of control and reduction the discomfort to the extent that in many countries, Prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers has been considered as one of the national priorities. Methods: the cross-sectional study was carried out as an intervention in a chicken slaughterhouse. In order to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, Cornell questionnaire was used. By identifying the tasks that are very high in musculoskeletal disorders posture evaluate was conducted and then the proportional to risk level tasks, engineering and management measures was performed. Given that most tasks are the kind of manual handling and carrying, were used the KIM methods for evaluating posture before and after of intervention. Results: The results of the Cornell questionnaire showed that the highest risk level Belongs to the neck, shoulders, back, arms and waist. Also evaluate by the KIM method the highest level of risk was estimated, the task of throwing the box and pick up the ice with the risk level 4 score, that after the intervention, decreased to the 2 score. Improvement obtained for all interventions on the average about 46.37 percent. The McNemar test was also significant difference between the results obtained before and after intervention. Conclusion: ergonomic problems have undesirable effects on employee health and productivity. This study, engineering and management interventions could significantly reduce the amount of corrective measures to improve working conditions in different parts of the company.

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Introduction: The analysis posture methods are counted as a source of investigating the risk of musculoskeletal disorders related to work. Personal digital assistant is a small mobile system with an operative system that can install on various programs such as posture analysis methods. Method: Firstly, three ways for posture analysis such as QEC, RULA and REBA determined. Afterward, the program of posture analysis methods written by BASCOM software with Basic language in IC MICRO CONTROLLER belong to AVR family, and interned in IC by programmer for making PDA. PDA Usability evaluated by Persian version of system usability scale questionnaire after specifying the validity and reliability of questionnaire. Finally, postural analysis was compared using a PDA with paper method. Results: The system usability scale of PDA method is 84.2±6.2 which that got B rank and placed in very well situation. Cronbach's Alpha and Pierson correlation coefficient belongs to System usability Scale are 0.716 and 0.888, sequentially (p˂0.001). The comparison between PDA and paper methods show us that time’s operation for analysis posture in PDA method is less than half of the time in papers method. Also, the probability of calculation errors in PDA is zero, but in paper method has tolerance between 2.33 to 8.66. Conclusion: Use of personal digital assistant for analysis posture solved the problems related to delay achieving to final results and removed the error probability in final results.

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Introduction: As workplaces, hospitals are filled with stressors, including environmental and physical stressors (such as noise pollution and poor lighting), human stressors (such as conflicts with colleagues) and organizational stressors (such as heavy workloads and unsuitable work shifts). The inability to cope with these stressors entails physical, psychological and behavioral outcomes for the employees. The present study was conducted to evaluate job stress in nursing personnel and to design a model for assessing the severity of musculoskeletal disorders caused by job stress among nurses.

Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 500 nurses working in various teaching hospitals of Hamadan. Data were collected through four questionnaires, including the Job Content Questionnaire, Maslach’s Burnout Inventory, the Visual Analogue Scale and a Demographic Questionnaire. Data were then analyzed in SPSS-16 and LISREL-8.3 using descriptive statistics.

Results: The results of the structural equation modeling showed that job burnout has a mediating effect between the severity of musculoskeletal disorders and job stress. In other words, if factors contributing to job burnout are present, the psychosocial risk factors yielded by the Job Content Questionnaire then contribute to the severity of musculoskeletal disorders.

Conclusion: Given the negative effects of job stress among nurses, health decision-makers are recommended to take measures to reduce stressors such as the physical and psychological demands of the workplace, the lack of support and the lack of job security.

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Introduction: Advances in technology and the use of complex systems at work have imposed high mental workloads to operators; so, continuous monitoring of mental workload can help to prevent mental problems and maintain mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of mental workload on physiological and subjective responses.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 16 healthy university students in 2014 at a laboratory setting. Physiological parameters of surface electromyography and electrocardiography in six blocks (resting, high mental work, moderate, low, very low and recovery) were measured using NeXus-4. After performing each block, the NASA-TLX questionnaire was completed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 21.0. A 5% significance level was adopted in all the tests.

Results: The results showed significant differences for the average score of NASA-TLX between the different levels of mental work load (P < 0.05). Also, the analysis of repeated measures variance showed significant differences for heart rate and heart rate variability parameters in the six blocks (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed for the shoulder muscles activity.

Conclusions: Different levels of mental work load can impact on people's subjective responses and some of their physiological responses. Thus, in such workplaces, it will be necessary to conduct an ergonomic program to manage mental health.

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Introduction: Varicose veins in the lower limbs commonly occur in the general population and can negatively affect their quality of life. One of the high-risk jobs is the field hairdressers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomic interventions on quality of life of female hairdressers suffering from diseases in the lower extremities varicose veins.

Methods: The study population was all female hairdressers of Hamadan Mahdieh clinic who were referred for medical examinations. Using simple random sampling method, 70 patients suffering from varicose disease were chosen and were classified to case and control groups. The intervention included an exercise protocol for the cases with varicose disease. The present study was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test and participants responded to Aberdeen varicose veins, chronic pain and muscle fatigue questionnaires, which were considered as indicators of quality of working life. Data was analyzed by paired sample t-test using of SPSS 16.

Results: The results showed that ergonomic interventions were effective on the rate of varicose score, pain and swelling score as well as the score of muscle fatigue of left and right lower limbs in the case group. The average scores of varicose veins, pain and swelling, and left and right lower extremity muscle fatigue in the case group decreased respectively 2.66, 2.4, 0.75 and 1.2.

Conclusions: With regard to the impact of exercise protocol on quality of working life in hairdresserd, the use of this protocol is recommended in patients with varicose veins disease.

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Abstract:

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) occur when the pressure that applied to musculoskeletal tissue is/be more than tissue tolerant capabilities. This study aimed to assess the risk factors cause musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual tasks using ManTRA and conducted ergonomics intervention program(educational- engineering) among workers in the printing industry.

MethodS: In this interventional case-control study, 40 workers who performed manual tasks, ( 20 case group and 20 control group) were chosen and were investigated. Nordic Body Map was used to determine the intensity and position of pain in the Different part of the body.  ManTRA method was performed to evaluate cumulative scores in four regions of the body (wrist / hand / arm - shoulder / neck - back - lower limb) for each workers before and after the intervention. Data analysis was done using SPSS.

Results: Data analysis showed that mean intensity of  pain in the control group before and after intervention in the various regions of the body such as  head /neck (p=0.012), right shoulder/arm (p=0.012), left shoulder/arm(p=0.043), back (p=0.003), right hand / wrist (p=0.028), left hand / wrist (p=0.027), right knee/ hip (p=0.005), left knee/ hip (p=0.005), right leg (p=0.012) & left leg(p=0.028) were significant.Cumulative score was also significant in the body regions such as arm/wrist /hand (p=0.001) and shoulder /neck (p=0.001) before and after the interventional program.

Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of this study, it could be noted that the ergonomic interventional program was effective to reduce the intensity of pain in the various regions of the body and risk factors causing cumulative damage in the workplace.

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Introduction: Muscle-skeletal disorders are one of the most common job-related disorders in industrial workplaces due to different reasons. The current study performed an ergonomic assessment using the key indicator index (KIM) in order to reduce injuries in the bottle-making salon of one of the detergent-producing industries of Qazvin province.

Methods: This study was an interventional study and consisted of 25 workers and was done in a bottle-making salon of one of the detergent-producing industries, during year 2016. For data collection, the Cornell questionnaire and key indicator index assessment method were used before and after the ergonomic interventions. Data was analyzed by descriptive analytical tests using the SPSS 16 software.

Results: According to the results, in the bottle production task (risk score: 4), the risk score decreased significantly by redesign (risk score: 2). Also, regarding the bottle's material, supply task that workers used to do it by manual material handling (risk score: 3), by redesign, risk score decreased significantly (risk score: 1).

Conclusions: In this study, musculoskeletal disorders decreased meaningfully by workstation ergonomic redesign after 5 months from the intervention.

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Background and Objectives: The statics and actions of people during daily activities plays a major role in the physical and mental health and dynamics of the community. Given that humans deal with different things in a day, it is necessary that they are adapted to his features of body. The main goal of this study is to design and construct tables and ergonomic chairs for cartography, in accordance with the physical dimensions of students.
Methods: In this research, one of the most used educational furniture, namely cartographic table and chairs, has been studied. After examining the satisfaction of this furniture, for ergonomic review and design in accordance with anthropometric dimensions, physical features of 160 students of art and 40 students of a technical and vocational school were measured. Then data was analyzed by SPSS 18 software.
Results: According to the results, about 70 percent of the students did not feel comfortable with the features of former chair and table, except for the length of the thigh. There was no significant difference between the different educational foundations in the vocational schools and finally, with the help of tonality features, the drawing table and chair were designed which except for the height of the sitting space, in other indices, there was a 100% correlation with the dimensions of the student's body.
Conclusion: In this study, there was a lot of dissatisfaction among students due to the lack of matching these educational materials with their physical dimensions which has caused physical, mental and psychological damage and poor quality of education. At the end of the study, through ergonomic design, matters of satisfaction, sustainability and reduced production costs and also the reasons for students' dissatisfaction with the drawing table and chairs is presented.

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