The Association between Mental Workload and Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Workers of Ahvaz Kavian Steel Company

Background: One of the most important problems in modern industries is the high mental workload which can affect the health and hygiene of workers in these industries. This study was carried out to investigate the association between mental workload and work- related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in a case study among workers of Ahvaz Kavian Steel Company, Ahvaz, Iran, in 2016. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 240 workers of Ahvaz Kavian Steel Company participated. Data collection tools were the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) and NASA-TLX mental workload questionnaire, filled out through interviewing participants in the work place. Data were analyzed by using independent-samples t-test and chi-square in SPSS19. Results: During the last 12 months, 75.8% of workers experienced musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. "Physical demand" (P=0.002) and "Effort" (P=0.015) from the NASA-TLX questionnaire and shift work, among demographic features, (P=0.025) were significantly associated with MSDs prevalence in these workers. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders had a high prevalence in workers of Ahvaz Kavian Steel Company. Because of the significant relation between of some dimensions of mental the work load index and demographic characteristics with musculoskeletal disorders; creating proper working conditions, utilizing ergonomic based designed implements and providing more staff training programs, can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders

The Impact of Job Stress and Job Satisfaction on Workforce Productivity in an Iranian Petrochemical Industry

Background: Job stress and job satisfaction are important factors affecting workforce productivity. This study was carried out to investigate the job stress, job satisfaction, and workforce productivity levels, to examine the effects of job stress and job satisfaction on workforce productivity, and to identify factors associated with productivity decrement among employees of an Iranian petrochemical industry. Methods: In this study, 125 randomly selected employees of an Iranian petrochemical company participated. The data were collected using the demographic questionnaire, Osipow occupational stress questionnaire to investigate the level of job stress, Job Descriptive Index to examine job satisfaction, and Hersey and Goldsmith questionnaire to investigate productivity in the study population. Results: The levels of employees' perceived job stress and job satisfaction were moderate-high and moderate, respectively. Also, their productivity was evaluated as moderate. Although the relationship between job stress and productivity indices was not statistically significant, the positive correlation between job satisfaction and productivity indices was statistically significant. The regression modeling demonstrated that productivity was significantly associated with shift schedule, the second and the third dimensions of job stress (role insufficiency and role ambiguity), and the second dimension of job satisfaction (supervision). Conclusion: Corrective measures are necessary to improve the shift work system. “Role insufficiency” and “role ambiguity” should be improved and supervisor support must be increased to reduce job stress and increase job satisfaction and productivity