International Journal of Occupational Hygiene
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Jul 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate student's perceptions of factors related to school safety in Doroodzan middle school, a rural school setting located in the north section of Fars Province, Iran. By examining student's perceptions of several specific aspects of campus safety, schools can prepare a program that addresses safety concerns and creates an holistic environment that decreases the possibility of safety challenges. The instrument used in this study was titled "Our School's Safety", designed by the California Department of Education, consisted of 36 Likert-scale questions and examined the physical, social and cultural aspects of school safety in order to procure a comprehensive overview of important factors related to safety. The completed surveys were analyzed. The results showed that the school physical, social, and cultural safety levels were in an acceptable situation. Majority of all students agree or strongly agree that social environment safety (73.2%), cultural environment safety (71.6%) and physical environment safety (65%) levels were satisfying. Doroodzan middle school successfully provides safety and it was determined that school potential for safety problems was reduced, due to the safety and security interventions in place and therefore can serves as a model for school districts around the country that are experiencing difficulties with safety and security.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common complication of long-term noise exposure, though there are some other complications due to exposure to noise. Metabolic complications of the noise exposure are being evaluated in recent studies. We aimed to assess the relationship between NIHL and lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar (FBS). In This cross-sectional study, 462 workers with exposure to noise were randomly selected. Considering the presence of NIHL they were divided into two groups. FBS, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, ALT, AST, ALP and Cr levels were measured in these workers and all variables were compared between two groups. We found a significant relationship between FBS, TG, cholesterol and LDL levels in two groups (p<0.001 for all variables). There was not a significant difference in Cr and liver enzymes levels between two groups. Noise exposure could be a cardiovascular risk factor, which can cause considerable metabolic disorders among those who suffer from NIHL.

Glazers are exposed to a variety of heavy metals in the ceramic industry, causing adverse effect on the body systems. Cadmium is one of the major raw materials for production of colored glazes. To evaluate occupational exposure to cadmium, spot urine samples were collected from 49 tile and pottery glazers in Yazd City in 2010 at the beginning and end of the work shift (98 samples). Totally, 55 office workers were also evaluated as control group. Samples were prepared using solid phase extraction followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. All the participants filled out a self administered questionnaire comprises questions about work shift, kind of job, use of mask, ventilation, work history, overtime work, age, weight, and height. The lung function tests were performed in a standing position according to the American Thoracic Society recommendation on both control and cadmium exposed individuals. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the data. The mean values of cadmium levels before and after shift in study group was 3.88 and 10.85 µg/gcreatinine, respectively. The mean values of cadmium levels at the end of the work shift in the glazers urine samples was almost 3.53 times higher than the control group and 2.17 times higher than the ACGIH biological exposure indices (5 µg/g creatinine). In addition the lung functions of glazers was significantly lower than the office workers (p<0.001). Exposure to cadmium in ceramic industry can lead to the reduction of respiratory capacity. Hygienic behaviors such as using protective mask and working in efficient ventilated workplaces can decrease the rate of occupational exposure to cadmium.

Risk assessment and management techniques are used in industrial activities to reduce accidents by applying preventive and protective methods. In this article a preventive approach called Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) was used. The application of HAZOP, a process hazard identification and control method, has been demonstrated in the fatty acid unit of Golnar Oil Company, northwest of Tehran Province. The results of the study identifies 58 types of hazard of which 45.6% were unacceptable, 27.1% were unsafe, 18.6% were acceptable but needed reconsideration, 8.7% were acceptable with no need for any corrective action. To prevent any catastrophic consequences, we recommend: (1) installing pressure switch and flow switch on the product-receiving lines, and (2) conducting regular and periodic HSE audit.

Most of Iranian Oil Terminals are located in tropical regions and consequently, disorders of heat stress among workers are expected. There are many heat stress indices with self-advantages and disadvantages which are used for evaluating the amount of heat stress. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability of WBGT, ET and CET indices by comparison to core body temperature in Kharg Oil Terminal Company. Participants (n=94) were workers in different units of the terminal. After identifying units and type of activities, the air and wet temperatures, WBGT, and core body temperature (oral and ear drum) in three situations including outdoor and indoor activities were measured. The means and standard deviations of WBGT, ET, and CET in the indoor and outdoor workplaces were 26.9±4.29, 25.94±4.05, 26.11±3.6 C° and 29.76±3.51, 28.03±4.05, 29.36±3.51 C°, respectively. The statistical correlation between the above mentioned heat stress indices with oral and tympanic temperatures were significant (p<0.001). The regression equations showed that the most determinant coefficient belongs to WBGT and oral temperature. It was concluded that the WBGT, ET, and CET with core body temperature had significant correlations and that WBGT was the most accurate index to determine the heat stress among workers.

The mass-transfer media plays a significant role on the performance of a packed tower. In this paper three counter-current single-stage packed towers at laboratory scale, randomly packed with two different sizes of two types of packing material were experimentally tested to study the role of the packing on the performance of them in the removal of sulfuric acid mists. Gas samples were extracted from specified points and quantified using US EPA method 8. All required steps were taken in order to comply with quality assurance procedures described in US EPA method 8. The results from 98 tests in four series including two types of packing materials each in two packing sizes revealed that 1.27 cm (0.5 inch) Raschig ring and Intalox saddle had higher removal efficiencies (94.0% and 92.3% respectively) than 2.54 cm Raschig ring and Intalox saddle (86.8 and 81.8% respectively). The statistical comparison of the average removal efficiencies showed that there was no significant difference (Pvalue = 0.344) between the average removal efficiency of the tower packed with 1.27 cm Intalox saddle and 1.27 cm Raschig ring. The highest removal efficiency of 98.2% was obtained at Hc/Dc ratio of 3 for 1.27 cm Raschig rings. The highest removal performance versus gas flow rate over packing volume (Qgas/Vpack) ratio was obtained with average removal efficiency of 95.0% for 1.27 cm Raschig rings. It was concluded that 1.27 cm Raschig rings performed the best for removal of sulfuric acid mists from air stream using packed bed caustic scrubbers.

Respirators are commonly used to protect workers against workplace airborne contaminants, but this equipment may become a safety hazard by creating discomfort, disorientation and postural instability. Although postural stability is critical to workers, especially those working near moving objects or on surfaces where a loss of balance may become life threatening, little attention has been given to the effect of respirators on wearers’ postural stability. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of wearing a half-mask respirator, a full-face respirator, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and no-respirator on postural stability, using computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). The subjects’ perception of comfort was also assessed. Over 60% of the subjects reported that wearing a respirator was uncomfortable and 20% felt that they had difficulty balancing while wearing the SCBA. The half-mask respirators, full-face respirators or SCBA did not produce any differences in postural stability over a baseline (no-respirator). However, the subjects expressed concerns with comfort.

In today’s advanced world resulting from the improvement of technology, societies tend to encounter a large number of problems and accidents. As we know, university’s security personnel are classified as shift workers and are exposed to health disturbing factors. The aim of this study was investigation of shift work disorders among security personnel of the hospitals Affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Central. This case-control study was conducted among 130 security personnel as well as 130 unexposed employees among the security guards working day shifts and the office workers. The unexposed individuals were not working in shifts, but were similar to the shift workers regarding age and health status. Data were collected using SOS (Survey of Shift Workers) questionnaire as well as measuring height, weight, and blood pressure of the shift workers in their work shifts. The findings revealed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the increase in blood pressure, sleep disorders, dissatisfaction in individual, family, and social lives, as well as increase in psychological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders. Moreover, these disorders were significantly higher among the shift workers. The study results suggest the necessity to pay more attention to the shift workers’ needs and problems, involving them in planning the shift schedules, and improving their working conditions.