Noise pollution in urban environments: a study in Yazd city, Iran

One of the most important sources of noise pollution in urban areas is traffic noise. The aim of the present study was to determine noise pollution in the different parts of Yazd city in 2010 and to compare them with current standard levels.In total, 135 samples were obtained from both residential and commercial areas according to the ISO 1996-2002 method in order to measure noise pressure levels. Locations included 10 streets and 5 squares of the city and the measurement times were considered in the morning, afternoon, and the evening. Noise level was determined in A-weighted by sound level meter model 2232. Results showed that the rate of background noise in Yazd city was high, as it was 71.2±4.4, 66.2±3.7, and 60.3±4 in the L10, L50, and L90, respectively. The mean level of maximum noise pressure was 74.3 dB(A)(Lmax), and the mean continuous sound equivalent level was 66.7 dB(A) (Leq). Comparing the noise level obtained in the present study to the standard level, it can be obviously concluded that the noise levels are higher than that of acceptable levels in most parts of the city. So, different preventive countermeasures such as increasing public awareness through educational programs and technical controls for the future development of the city are crucial

Application of a hazard and operability study method to hazard evaluation of a chemical unit of the power station.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the hazards, evaluate their risk factors and determine the measure for promotion of the process and reduction of accidents in the chemical unit of the power station. METHODS: In this case and qualitative study, HAZOP technique was used to recognize the hazards and problems of operations on the chemical section at power station. Totally, 126 deviations were documented with various causes and consequences. RESULTS: Ranking and evaluation of identified risks indicate that the majority of deviations were categorized as "acceptable" and less than half of that were "unacceptable". The highest calculated risk level (1B) related to both the interruption of acid entry to the discharge pumps and an increased density of the acid. About 27% of the deviations had the lowest risk level (4B). CONCLUSION: The identification of hazards by HAZOP indicates that it could, systemically, assess and criticize the process of consumption or production of acid and alkali in the chemical unit of power plant

Applying job hazard analysis and William Fine methods on risks identification and assessment of jobs in hot rolling steel, Iran

Background and purpose: Comprehensive evaluation of jobs in industries is a practical and effective method that could identify the jobs and industries with negative effects on the environment. This study identified environmental hazards of hot rolling process and assessing their risks. Materials and methods: An observational study was carried out in which identification of human activity and job’s risks in production hall of Kavir Steel Complex was done according to ISO 14001 approaches (pollutant emissions to air, discharges to water, energy consumption, energy released as heat, wastes, side products, etc) by Job Hazard Analysis method (JHA). Then the risks identified were prioritized and assessed using William Fine method. Results: We identified 205 environmental hazards (in 9 groups) associated with production personnel (n= 81), mechanics and maintenance personnel (n= 44), bed personnel (n= 9), personnel of cleaning services (n= 33), and water plant personnel (n= 38). The highest and lowest rate of risks were due to creation and distribution of wastes (n= 73) and corrosion and depreciation of equipment, (n= 1), respectively. Conclusion: The production personnel were mainly responsible for environmental emissions. The leading causes were stress and anxiety about stoppage of production, payment reduction, and lack of awareness and workers and supervisors on environmental issues. © 2017, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Ocjena i usporedba respiratornih simptoma i kapaciteta pluća u radnika tvornice keramičkih pločica iz Yazda u Iranu

Tile workers are exposed to dust particles and are susceptible to multiple pulmonary complications. Problems like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary symptoms, and silicosis are more common among them. As there are many tile factories in Yazd, we decided to evaluate the respiratory symptoms and lung capacities in these workers and compare them with controls. This study included 176 tile and ceramic factory workers occupationally exposed to dust and 115 unexposed workers as controls. We recorded the respiratory symptoms using the British Medical Research Council questionnaire and measured lung capacities of the two groups. All study subjects were male, and the two groups were comparable in age and smoking. The exposed group had frequent respiratory symptoms and a significant relationship between them and duration of employment. In addition, lung capacities in ceramic workers with symptoms were lower than in workers without the symptoms. Even though the respiratory symptoms were more frequent in the exposed group than in controls, lung capacities of the two groups were similar.Radnici u proizvodnji keramičkih pločica izloženi su česticama prašine te su skloni višestrukim plućnim komplikacijama. U njih je veća učestalost tegoba poput astme i simptoma kronične opstruktivne bolesti pluća te silikoze. Budući da u Yazdu ima mnogo tvornica keramike, odlučili smo upravo u tome gradu ocijeniti respiratorne simptome i izmjeriti kapacitet pluća njihovih radnika i usporediti ih s kontrolnom skupinom. Ispitivanje je stoga obuhvatilo 176 radnika u proizvodnji keramičkih pločica izloženih prašini te 115 neizloženih radnika koji su činili kontrolnu skupinu. Respiratorni su se simptomi ispitali rabeći upitnik Britanskoga savjeta za medicinska istraživanja (British Medical Research Council), a u obje je skupine izmjeren kapacitet pluća. Svi su ispitanici bili muškarci, a skupine su se podudarale po dobi i pušenju. Respiratorni simptomi bili su česti u izloženoj skupini te je u njoj uočena značajna povezanost između respiratornih simptoma i radnoga staža u tvornici. Usto su izloženi radnici s respiratornim simptomima iskazali slabije kapacitete pluća od radnika bez simptoma. Ovi su respiratorni simptomi bili češći u izloženoj skupini negoli u kontrolnoj, ali se njihovi kapaciteti pluća nisu bitno razlikovali

The survey of occupational accidents in Yazd gas agency (2013)

Background: Existence of coordinated and professional safety system to prevent occurrence of accidents and potential hazards seem to be essential in installing networks of gas distribution projects. Objective: To survey work-related accidents and safety performance indices in project implementation unit of Yazd gas agency. Methods: This analytical study was conducted on 197 of workforce in Yazd gas agency in 2013 that were selected by census and they were male. Demographic and accident information were gathered using a self-made questionnaire and face- to- face interview, and required information obtained from dossier to determine the safety performance indicators. Safety performance indicators were calculated in separately of 13 types occupations in project implementation unit of gas agency and data were analyzed using T-test. Findings: The highest accident frequency and severity rate were related to digging occupation and then metal line welding. Consequences of accidents were cuts (%56.7) and soreness (%14.9). The causes of accidents were related to uselessness of personal protective equipment (%25.2) and lack of precision in the task (%19.3). The highest rate of accident was observed among the age group 20-29 years with work experience of 4-6 years. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study and the risk of gas processes, it seems to be necessary the implementation of integrated management systems and training of workers about safety rules to improve the safety culture and prevent accidents. Keywords: Safety, Occupational Accidents, Gas Field

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica

Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare disorder of large airways with unknown etiology which is characterized by cartilaginous and bony nodules lining the mucosa of the trachea and major bronchi. Generally, it is benign and asymptomatic, but it may present with cough, exertional dyspnea and wheezing. It could therefore be mistaken with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . The diagnosis is usually made on bronchoscopy and confirmed on histology .We describe two cases of TO with characteristic bronchoscopic and histological findings. The first one had exertional dyspnea and hoarseness for more than 3 years and the second one had exertional dyspnea for more than 10 years .In both of the cases, fiber optic bronchoscopy was performed which revealed numerous white,hard,irregular nodules on trachea and main bronchi. The pathologic diagnosis of bronchoscopic biopsy was TO

Predicting the indicators of the safety performance monitoring after implementation of integrated management system (IMS) in a combined cycle power plant in Yazd city

Introduction: Each year tens of millions of labors are victims of occupational incidents leading to the disablement or death of many of them. The present study has been conducted with the aim of predicting the performance monitoring indicators of incident after implementation of the integrated management system in order to reduce number of incidents, safety monitoring, and giving priority to safety programs in the organization policies. .Matherial and Methods: Using safety performance indicators, this descriptive-analytical study has been done in two stages in a combined cycle power plant on 254 incidents before the implementation (2004) and the years after the implementation of integrated management systems(a seven year period). The required data was gathered through checklist and interview with the injured workers. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi Square, and Cubic regression tests were utilized for data analysis at significance level of 0.05. .Results: Of the 1131 labors during a seven year period, 254 occupational incidents were recorded. The highest value of accident frequency rate was in 2004 (32.65) while the highest accident severity rate was in the year 2008 (209). Moreover, the lowest frequency rate and severity rate were related to the year 2011 with value of 9.75 and 29.26, respectively. Regression graphs, between the observed values and the estimated values, showed that the coefficients of all the indicators, except for β1of ASR,are significant(P< 0.05) as expected. This result implies the improvement in the safety performance and integrated management systems. .Conclusion: Findings show that Cubic regression can be an appropriate to olforinvestigating the indicators trends and for their predictionin planning and monitoring the performance ofsafety unitso that the decision-making for determining the priority of organizations’ safety programs would be facilitated

Prevalence of Job Stress among Staff of the Ports and Sailing Corporation of Hormozgan and its Relation to Non Fatal Accidents

Introduction: Investigation of job stress among people who have experienced accidents could help to recognize causes of events in workplaces. The objective of this study was to measure frequency and severities of work stressors among staff employed at the Hormozgan Ports & Sailing Organization, and determine its relationship with accidents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 320 Hormozgan Ports & Sailing Organization staff that completed 3 questionnaires including demographic characteristics, stress frequency and stress reaction. Statistical analysis was performed by One way ANOVA and Chi square test. Results: The averages scores from frequency and reaction stressor questionnaires for all of the study population were 88.9 and 16.1 respectively. The scores of stress frequency questionnaire of 78% with history of accidents were more than median, but only 34% without history of accidents had scores more than the median. The Odds Ratio of people with positive history of accidents in stress frequency questionnaire was 6.48. Conclusion: As seen in the results of this study, stress plays a role in non fatal accidents and therefore, quality management for the control of stress in workplaces is a necessity

ASurvey of causes of occupational accidents at working place under protection of Yazd Social Security Organization in 2005

Background and aimsIn rapid development in industrialization, lack of attention to safetyprinciples causes a raise in work-related incidents. According to ILO, around one-third of workrelated deaths is due to. The aim of our study is to survey the causes of occupational incidents at working place under protection of Yazd Social Security Organization in 1384.MethodsThis is a descriptive study that was done to determine the incident frequency and factors affecting on it. The study included 776 incidents selected among all of the incidents occurred in 1384 inYazd. The data were collected from available information in social security organization.ResultsThe findings showed that the center of province, has had the most number of incidents (%41.2). Also, the mean age of people who had incident was 29.5. The most causes of incident were related to falling down (%20.8) fingers were injured more than other parts (%31.5). The highest consequence of the incidents was related to injuries (%34).ConclusionThe distribution of age among the subjects indicated the prevalence of incident in young workers more than others, which is in the same line with other researches. The cause of most incidents was falling