Prioritization of control measures in leakage scenario using Hendershot theory and FBWM-TOPSIS.

Currently, there is increasing concern about the safety and leakage of process industries. Therefore, the present study aims to prioritize control measures before and after the leakage scenario by using the Hendershot theory and MCDM techniques. In this study, two proactive and reactive layers were selected before and after leakage of tanks, respectively. Then, criteria and alternatives were selected to perform fuzzy TOPSIS (FTOPSIS) and find the best alternative based on the literature review and Hendershot approach. The linear model of the fuzzy Best-Worst method (FBWM) was constructed and resolved using Lingo 17 software. Subsequently, criteria were assigned weights based on thorough calculations of the inconsistency rate. The weight of study experts was equal to 0.25. The results of FBWM showed that the reliability index with a weight of 0.3727 was ranked first and the inconsistency rate ([Formula: see text]) was calculated to be equal to 0.040. Inherent Safety Design (ISD) (0.899) and passive safety (0.767) also ranked first before and after tank leaks, respectively. Using the FBWM method leads to fewer pairwise comparisons and at the same time more stability. Although ISD and passive strategies are more valid and strict, elements of all strategies are necessary for a comprehensive process safety management program

Occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in firefighters: the mediating effect of depression and job burnout

The firefighting profession carries a heightened risk of musculoskeletal disorders. A firefighter’s job is physically demanding and includes activities such as running, climbing, dragging, and lifting. Often, these tasks are unpredictable, performed in harsh environments, and have been found to cause psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational stress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) in firefighters. In addition, the mediating effects of depression and job burnout on proposed relationships were examined. Data informing this study were collected using a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Maslach BurnoutInventory, the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Inventory (PCL), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling approach in AMOS. The results of the 2339 responding firefighters suggest that work related stress is positively related to WRMSDs in firefighters and can lead to musculoskeletal symptoms through four paths,being emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, CES-D total score, and depersonalization. Through depersonalization, job stress had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.053). Furthermore, the results showed that post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) can affect musculoskeletal symptoms through ten paths, again through depersonalization, PTSD had the most significant impact on musculoskeletal symptoms (coefficient = 0.141). The results of this study suggest that organizations should design interventions and policies to prevent and manage occupational stress, depression, and job burnout to negate its undesired consequences on firefighters’ health (i.e. WRMSD)

Relationship among Noise Exposure, Noise Annoyance, Emotional Intelligence, and Cognitive Emotional Regulation: A Generalized Structural Equation Modeling

Background and Aim: There is evidence of associations between noise exposure and psychological outcomes from noise annoyance. This study aims to examine the mediating role of noise annoyance in the relationship of noise exposure with Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Cognitive Emotion Regulation (CER). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 58 male workers of a lead mine in Yazd, Iran. Noise exposure was determined based on ISO 9612:2009. Noise annoyance was assessed using the ISO/TS 15666:2003’s numerical rating scale. The Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (modified version) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) were used for data collection. Mann-Whitney U test, correlation test, and Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean age of workers was 35.78±7.10 years. A significant relationship was found between noise annoyance and noise exposure, such that a unit increase in noise exposure had a multiplicative effect on the odds of experiencing more annoyance (p<0.001). Also, for every one-unit increase in noise annoyance, mean scores for EI and CER decreased by 0.192 and 0.172, respectively. Conclusion: Noise exposure is directly related to noise annoyance and indirectly related to EI and CER. Further studies in this area are recommended to clarify the issue and the relationships between these variables

Domino Effects in Process Industries

This article has no abstract

Dynamic Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA): New Fields of Study in Risk Assessment

No abstract This article no has abstrac

The relationship between illnesses and medical drug consumption with the occurrence of traffic accidents among truck and bus drivers in Tehran, Iran

Purpose: To determine the relationship of illnesses and medical drug consumption with the occurrence of traffic accidents among truck and bus drivers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on truck and bus drivers in Tehran, Iran. The criteria for participating in this study were: married males over 30 years old, driving license in grade one, five years of job experience, mental health and non-addiction license. The criterion for not participating in this study was the lack of cooperation in responding to the questions. Six months was spent to collect the latest five years data of driving accidents from 2011 to 2016. A total of 323 truck and bus drivers in Tehran city and the suburbs, Iran were chosen. Among them, 112 were responsible for accidents (accident group) while 211 were not responsible for any accidents or involved in an accident in the last five years (non-accident group). A specially designed questionnaire was used to investigate the demographic information, medical drug consumption, medical backgrounds and history of accidents. Results: The results revealed that compared with healthy subjects, the occurrence of accidents among people with diabetes (OR = 2.3, p = 0.001) and vision weakness (OR = 1.7, p = 0.020) was significantly higher, while that among people with cardiac (OR = 0.5, p = 0.002) and hypertension (OR = 0.9, p = 0.048) problems was remarkably lower. Moreover, consumption of Gemfibrozil (OR = 1.8, p = 0.010) and Glibenclamide (OR = 2.2, p = 0.002) drugs resulted in significantly higher incidence of accidents than those without. Conclusion: Frequencies of illnesses like cardiovascular and hypertension were not higher in accident drivers than in non-accident drivers; but diabetes, vision weakness and consumption of Gemfibrozil and Glibenclamide lead to more traffic accidents. Keywords: Medical drugs, Illnesses, Driver, Traffic accident

Health risk Assessment of Exposure to Harmful Chemical Agents in a Refinery

Background: Process units, due to performance conditions at high pressure and high temperatures, are prone to many health risks that can lead to adverse effects during work. In order to identify health hazards, assess their risks and make appropriate decisions to control the risk and improve the health of individuals in this regard, the assessment of health risks is of particular importance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess and prioritize health risks in a refinery. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a refinery in 2012. In this study, 14 important chemical substances were identified and analyzed.  Excel analysis was used to analyze the data. To assess the health risks due to chemical exposure the methodology proposed by the Department of Health Care in University of Singapore was used. First, important chemicals were identified and then the degree of risk and degree of exposure to chemicals were calculated and finally the level of health risk due to exposure to chemicals was determined. Results: The results showed that from 14 identified cases, exposure to diglycol diamine had a risk level of 4.47 (very high), hydrogen sulfide a risk level of 3.87 (high level), and molybdenum and nickel base catalysts a health risk of 3.87 (high), all of which were in a range of  unacceptable risk. Conclusion: In this study exposure to diglycol diamine, hydrogen sulfide, and molybdenum and nickel based catalysts was in the range of unacceptable risk. Using management and engineering controls such as personnel training, shortening the work shift of individuals, pre-recruitment and periodical examinations, designing a ventilation system, and the use of detectors and discovery equipment are recommended to reduce the level of risk

Investigating the Causes of the Incidents and Monitoring the Safety System before and after the Implementation of OHSAS 18001 in a Combined Cycle Power Plant

Background: In order to protect human resources, health and safety management systems such as OHSAS 18001, which is based on prevention, are necessary in projects. Therefore, the present study analyzes the incidents and evaluates the monitoring safety performance indicators based on work experience before and after the implementation of OHSAS 1800. Methods: This descriptive analytical study was performed on all incident victims during 2004 to 2011 at Yazd Combined Cycle Power Plant by census method. Data were extracted from the incident report checklists as well as technical protection committee documents of the plant. The AFR, ASR, FSI, FR, and IR indices were calculated based on OSHA standard before and after the implementation of OHSAS 18001. Descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-square were used for data analysis. Meanwhile, the significance level was considered equal to 0.05.Results: 287 work-related incidents occurred during an 8-year period (2004-2011(. The 44.9% of incidences (n=129) were reported in the age group under 30 years and&nbsp; the lowest incidence rate was observed in the age group over 50. 97% of the incidents were reported in men while 2.8% of the incidents were reported in women. According to the results, there was a significant relationship between age and work experience as well as age and marital status. There was also a significant decrease in the indices in the years after the implementation of OHSAS 18001. Conclusion: The results showed that the implementation of safety systems and deployment of OHSAS 18001 has reduced the incident indices based on work experience. Therefore, health and safety management systems are suitable tools for reducing incident rates and incident indices are also appropriate for monitoring the safety performance

Evaluating the Effects of a Training Intervention on Increasing the Workers’ Use of Hearing Protective Equipment by Kirk Patrick Model in Yazd Persepolis Tile Industry

Background: According to the Labor Code, one of the important duties of employers in the field of safety and health is the provision of personal protective equipment and its training to workers. How to train workers who are willing to use the earmuff all the time is an issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a training intervention with the BASNEF model in increasing the duration of the use of hearing protective equipment by workers. Methods: This is an evaluation study that was carried out in Yazd tile industry in 2015. The research population in this study was 50 workers who were trained according to the BASNEF model. After developing a questionnaire based on the structures of Kirk Patrick's evaluation model, with the acquisition of validity, trained workers completed the questionnaire. Results: The highest mean scores were respectively in the results 87.06 (12), behavior 86.30 (9.59), learning 84.87 (13.55), content 81.36 (10.70) and the response 81.28 (11.33). In general, the score of the evaluation domains is above 80.Conclusion: According to the findings, BASNEF&lsquo;s training course is effective in increasing the duration of workers' use of protective hearing equipment

Attitude toward the Patient Safety Culture in healthcare systems

Introduction: Patient Safety Culture (PSC) involves a harmonious pattern of individual and organization behaviors based on common beliefs and values. This study aimed to evaluate the attitude of healthcare providers toward PSC in the hospitals and clinics of Zabol city, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015. Sample population consisted of the physicians, nurses, and paraclinical staff (radiologists and laboratory experts) engaged in different healthcare centers of Zabol city, Iran. Data were collected using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V.22 at the significance level of 0.05. Results: In total, 231 healthcare practitioners were enrolled in this study. Participants were divided into three groups of physicians, nurses, and paraclinical staff (n=77, 33.33%). Mean of age and clinical experience was 29.94 and 6.23 years, respectively. Among the main aspects of PSC, “general understanding of patient safety” had the highest mean score (13.53), and the lowest mean score was achieved in “non-punitive response to error” (8.89). In the aspect of “manager expectations and actions promoting safety”, a significant difference was observed in the mean scores of the study groups (P=0.030). Moreover, our results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of physicians and nurses in the aspect of “openness and honesty in communication” (P=0.023). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, improvement of PSC is necessary for the efficient management of hospitals and clinics. This is attainable through collaborative and instructive workshops, developing educational programs, and designing incident reporting systems