Volume 16, Issue 2 (9-2023)
ijhe 2023, 16(2): 325-338 |
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Rafeemanesh E, Esmaily H, Rahimpour F, Fahoul M J, Herati H, Jahed Taherani H. Evaluation of workplace hazards and their effect on the physical-mental health of wastewater treatment plant workers in Mashhad. ijhe 2023; 16 (2) :325-338
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6743-en.html
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6743-en.html
Ehsan Rafeemanesh1 
, Habibollah Esmaily2 , Farzaneh Rahimpour1 , Mohammad Javad Fahoul3 , Habib Herati4 , Hasan Jahed Taherani * 5
, Habibollah Esmaily2 , Farzaneh Rahimpour1 , Mohammad Javad Fahoul3 , Habib Herati4 , Hasan Jahed Taherani * 5
1- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3- Mashhad Health Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4- Mashhad Water and Waste Water Company, Mashhad, Iran
5- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,jahedh@mums.ac.ir
2- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3- Mashhad Health Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4- Mashhad Water and Waste Water Company, Mashhad, Iran
5- Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,
Abstract: (712 Views)
Background and Objective: Employees of wastewater treatment plants are exposed to various harmful factors in the work environment that can threaten their health. In this research, the health status of the employees of Mashhad sewage treatment plants has been evaluated to help by implementing intervention programs to improve the health of employees.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, (bioaerosols, UV rays, heat stress, and hydrogen disulfide gas) were measured in 5 treatment plants in Mashhad. All study variables, including health status, clinical tests, and job stress, were analyzed analytically in two operational and administrative employee groups. The standard HSE occupational stress questionnaire was used to investigate the state of occupational stress. All data were transferred to the computer and data analysis was done with the help of software SPSS20.
Results: The amount of pollutants except H2S gas was lower than the national occupational exposure limit. The number of smokers, diabetics, knee pain, and hearing loss was higher among operational than administrative employees, and hypertension, increased cholesterol, back pain, and skin disease were also more common in office workers than operational workers, but there were no statistically significant differences. Obesity and overweight (p<0.009) and increased triglycerides (p<0.05) were more common in administrative than operational workers, which had statistically significant differences. The state of job stress in operational employees was statistically significant compared to administrative employees regarding role (p<0.018) and communication (p<0.002).
Conclusion: Appropriate occupational health interventions to reduce pollutants, implement ergonomic programs and improve nutrition and increase physical activity and stress management can play an effective role in improving the health of employees of these units.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, (bioaerosols, UV rays, heat stress, and hydrogen disulfide gas) were measured in 5 treatment plants in Mashhad. All study variables, including health status, clinical tests, and job stress, were analyzed analytically in two operational and administrative employee groups. The standard HSE occupational stress questionnaire was used to investigate the state of occupational stress. All data were transferred to the computer and data analysis was done with the help of software SPSS20.
Results: The amount of pollutants except H2S gas was lower than the national occupational exposure limit. The number of smokers, diabetics, knee pain, and hearing loss was higher among operational than administrative employees, and hypertension, increased cholesterol, back pain, and skin disease were also more common in office workers than operational workers, but there were no statistically significant differences. Obesity and overweight (p<0.009) and increased triglycerides (p<0.05) were more common in administrative than operational workers, which had statistically significant differences. The state of job stress in operational employees was statistically significant compared to administrative employees regarding role (p<0.018) and communication (p<0.002).
Conclusion: Appropriate occupational health interventions to reduce pollutants, implement ergonomic programs and improve nutrition and increase physical activity and stress management can play an effective role in improving the health of employees of these units.
Keywords: Pollutants, Employee health, Wastewater treatment plant, General diseases, Occupational diseases
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
wastewater
Received: 2022/12/20 | Accepted: 2023/07/19 | Published: 2023/09/17
Received: 2022/12/20 | Accepted: 2023/07/19 | Published: 2023/09/17
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