Risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders by Muscle Fatigue Assessment method and implementation of an ergonomic intervention in Assembly industry

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are a major part of occupational diseases in working environments. The aim of this study was evaluates the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders by the assessment of Muscle Fatigue Assessment method (MFA). It also sought to determine the effects of an ergonomic intervention on the mentioned risk in an Assembly industry. Methods: This study conducted on 15 people working in the Assembly line. Medical records of Assembly line workers were reviewed and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ) after one year of intervention was completed. Activities of these workers in Assembly line were evaluated by Muscle Fatigue Assessment method (MFA) and workers were given the necessary training. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16. Results: The initial evaluations showed that neck, back, leg and knee, respectively in 6.67, 20 and 13.33 percent were in the "very high" priority corrective measures. Re-assessments after the intervention showed that Percent of people with musculoskeletal disorders in the neck in the "very high" corrective actions changed to zero. The percent of organs at the level of "high" corrective actions before the intervention was greatly reduced. For example, around the waist from 60% to 33.33% and neck from 53% to 26.27% after intervention were reduced. A total of 30 cases of abnormalities detected before the intervention, after intervention, this number reduced to 11. Conclusion: According to MFA Score, risk of musculoskeletal disorders was reduced by intervention in this industry and According to Questionnaire, prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders also significantly reduce

Study the relation between Work Ability Index and Life Style in Mechanics of Thermal power plant

Introduction: Maintenance of work ability and continuous effort to improve reduced work ability of employees is a major concern for managers. This study aimed to determine the level of work ability index and relation with life style in mechanics of thermal power plant. Method: A total of 60 mechanics from selected thermal power plant were included in this cross sectional study. Health promoting behaviors was tested by Promoting lifestyle questionnaire walker. Work ability was assessed by the Work Ability Index (WAI) and the final score was calculated from answers to its seven dimensions. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Results: The mean value of work ability index in this study was 34.80 &plusmn; 5.76. The WAI categories were 16.66% in &quot;excellent&quot;, 36.6% in &quot;good&quot;, 30 % in &quot;moderate&quot;, and 16.66% in &quot;poor&quot; levels. Association between life style factors and WAI was statistically significant (P<.0.05). Lower WAI was associated with increasing the age, high work experience and lower education (p<.0.05). Conclusions: Average of work ability index in mechanics was at average level. Also there is a significant relationship between work ability indexes with life style.&nbsp

Physical Risk Factors among Construction Workers by Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) Method

Background: The recent studies have shown that the rates of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders among workers in the construction industry are much higher than those working in other industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical risk factor among the workers in construction workshops using Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) method. Methods: A total of 150 workers were randomly selected from five construction workshops. They were working in the wall plastering, bricklaying, and concreting tasks. During the site visit of five workshops, tasks were observed using WERA assessment. A structured interview with self-report charts (Body Discomfort Chart) was administered to participants for each task. Results: An analysis of the self-report charts revealed that 94%, 92%, and 83% of workers reported discomfort in their backs in concreting, wall plastering, and bricklaying tasks, respectively. The shoulder region was the second highest reported uncomfortable region by 86% and 84% of workers in concreting and wall plastering tasks, respectively. The wrist region was the second highest reported uncomfortable region reported by 80% of workers in bricklaying task. From the WERA assessment for wall plastering, bricklaying, and concreting tasks, the final scores were 36.57 (SD=8.62), 39.66 (SD=6.92), and 40.06 (SD=7.75), respectively. The highest and lowest scores were 5.87 (SD=1.14) and 2.21 (SD=1.28), respectively for neck and vibration in wall plastering. Conclusion: The results showed that workers have pain in their back, shoulder, wrist, elbow, neck, and leg regions during their work in wall plastering, bricklaying, and concreting tasks. The final score for concreting task was higher than wall plastering and bricklaying tasks

Study of exposure to cold stress and body physiological responses in auto mechanic employees in Hamadan city

Introduction: Continuous exposure to cold air is considered to be a hazardous agent in the workplace in cold seasons. This study aimed to determine the level of cold stress and relation with physiological responses in auto mechanic employees. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the winter of 1395 on auto mechanic employees in Hamadan city. Physiological responses during daily activity were measured in accordance with ISO 9886 standard method. Environmental air measures like air temperature and air velocity were measured simultaneously and cold stress indexes were also determined. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Result: The result showed that mean wind chill index, equivalent chill temperature and required clothing insulation were 489.97&plusmn;47.679 kcal/m2.h, 13.78&plusmn; 1.869 0c and 2.04 &plusmn; 0.246 clo, respectively. According to the results of cold stress indexes, the studied employees are exposed to cold stress. Pearson correlation test showed that there are significant relationship between cold stress indexes with physiological responses (p<0.05), however, IREQ min showed more correlation than the others. &nbsp;There is also a significant relationship between body fat percentage and deep temperature (p<0.05, r=0.314). Conclusion: The result confirmed that IREQ min index has high validity for estimation of cold stress among auto mechanic employees. Moreover, the increase of body fat percentage leads to an increase of cold tolerance power of employees

Performance evaluation of sound screening Method for estimating sound Risk in small Workshops of Hamadan city

Introduction: noise pollution has a negative effect on physiological parameters, efficiency and auditory system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a sound screening method for estimating sound risk in small workshops of Hamadan city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 22 plants with more than 20 workers. Noise screening was done using a screening form. Next, noise level was measured at all the plants by SL 4001 sound level meter and regular grid method. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s test and linear regression by SPSS version 16 software. Results: The mean (SD) scores of sound pressure level and screening form were 80.12 dB (7.277) and 60.50 (8.964) in the 22 understudy plants, respectively. The average measured workshop area and volume were 1448 and 10300, respectively. Pearson’s test revealed a significant relationship between the results of the two methods, (P > 0.046). Also the percentage of workers at risk (greater than 85 dB) was 32.29 and the percentage of workers within safe limit (less than 85 dB) was 63.3. While the largest percentage of workers in the caution zone (82 dB) was 67.04. conclusions: A correlation was shown between the results of the two methods. The use of this method to identify workshops with the possibility of noise pollution is effective