Journal of Health and Safety at Work

Psychometric Assessment of the Persian Version of the Structured Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool (SMET) Questionnaire among Nurses

Mohammad Sadegh Ghasemi

Introduction: Nurses play a crucial role in hospital settings, often undertaking demanding tasks that exceed their physical and cognitive capacities. The Structured Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool (SMET) is an instrument for evaluating and identifying risks in workplace environments. The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian (Farsi) version of the SMET.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the face and content validity of the questionnaire were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively by a panel of 13 experts. Quantitative content validity was performed using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI). Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).
Results: The face validity assessment revealed that questions 3, 4, 6, 23, and 24 required clarification. The CVI for all items was calculated to be above 0.79. However, several questions had a CVR below 0.54, indicating that specialists considered some questions unnecessary or repetitive. Consequently, these questions were either removed or merged with similar items based on the scores and subsequent reviews. Cronbach’s alpha and ICC values for the entire questionnaire and its dimensions were above 0.7, indicating acceptable to strong reliability.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the SMET questionnaire demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties for comprehensive multifactorial evaluation of healthcare workplaces.

Application of a Needle Trap Sampler Containing Hydroxyl Fullerene Nanoparticles for Benzene Sampling in Air

Mahmoud Heidari

Introduction: Evaluation of air pollutants using green microextraction methods that do not require solvents and allow for sampling and analysis in a single step has received attention. In this study, the needle trap microextraction method was developed and the hydroxyl fullerene adsorbent was used for benzene sampling in air.
Material and Methods: Needle traps of identical length were filled with the selected adsorbent, and a standard chamber was used to generate specific benzene concentrations for sampling. Subsequently, the variables influencing the performance of the needle trap—specifically, sampling and desorption parameters—were optimized to achieve maximum efficiency using response surface methodology and Design Expert 11 software. Finally, the efficiency of the developed method was evaluated in a real-world environment and compared with the NIOSH 1501 method.
Results: Sampling temperature and humidity had an inverse relationship with the peak response rate, such that the sampler performed better at low temperature and humidity. The adsorbent’s ability to retain the analyte, despite its high vapor pressure, was deemed satisfactory, with analyte loss after 5 days measured at 5%. The maximum desorption occurred at 275°C and 3 minutes. The instrumental and quantitative detection limits were calculated to be 0.011 µgL-1 and 0.029 µgL-1 of air, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) as an indicator of the repeatability of the method under study was also 5.38%. In a comparative study, the performance of the needle trap was evaluated to be better than the NIOSH method.
Conclusion: The needle trap method and the hydroxyl fullerene nanostructure adsorbent have a good performance in sampling benzene in air and are recommended for occupational and environmental monitoring.

Investigating the Thermal Properties of Hydrated Salt Phase Change Material Nanocomposites in the Prevention of Heat Stress

Mohammadreza Monazzam Esmaeelpour

Introduction: Wearable thermal management systems and phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as effective solutions for regulating body temperature and storing thermal energy. This study focuses on synthesizing and thermal optimizing a sodium sulfate decahydrate-based nanocomposite incorporating various nanoparticles to improve its performance for personal thermal regulation applications.
Material and Methods: The composite was prepared using sodium sulfate decahydrate as the base PCM. Potassium chloride (KCl) was added to adjust the melting point, borax (STD) served as a nucleating agent, and sodium polyacrylate (SPA) was included as a thickening agent to suppress phase separation. To evaluate the effect of nanoparticle additives, 0.05 wt.% of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), graphene oxide (GO), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were separately incorporated into the base formulation. A field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used to analyze the surface morphology of the resulting nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) assessed thermal properties, including phase transition temperatures (melting and freezing points) and latent heat.
Results: Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that sample S-5-5 comprising sodium sulfate decahydrate with 3 wt.% KCl, 5 wt.% STD and SPA exhibited a melting temperature of 29.5 °C and a latent heat of 120 J/g. This composition remained stable without phase separation. The incorporation of nanoparticles raised the melting point of the base PCM by 0.6 to 1.72 °C. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) reduced the latent heat of fusion, whereas GO and TiO₂ increased it.
Conclusion: These findings confirm that the thermal properties of sodium sulfate decahydrate-based PCMs can be tailored by including specific additives and nanoparticles. Hydrated salt nanocomposites demonstrate strong potential as PCMs for wearable body temperature regulation.

Selection, validation and prioritization of leading indicators of process safety performance: A case study on hydrocarbon liquid storage tanks

Omran Ahmadi

Introduction: Measuring and monitoring the process safety management system is essential to reduce the risk of accidents in process industries. For this purpose, lagging and leading process safety performance indicators are utilized. The aim of the present study is to select, validate and prioritize the leading indicators of process safety performance.
Material and Methods: First, the leading indicators associated with risk factors affecting hydrocarbon liquid tanks were identified and selected based on the guidelines provided by the CCPS, HSE UK, OGP, and relevant scholarly articles. After choosing the appropriate indicators, the content validity of the indicators was studied. In the next step, indicators with acceptable content validity were studied by experts in terms of applicability and importance using fuzzy weighting.
Results: Out of 18 performance indicators related to risk factors influencing the performance of operating personnel, 3 indicators were eliminated due to content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) scores below acceptable levels. The remaining 15 indicators advanced to the next stage of the study. All 4 indicators related to the performance of maintenance personnel achieved acceptable CVR and CVI scores and were also included in the next stage. Of the 13 indicators defined for equipment performance, 3 were excluded due to low CVR or CVI scores, and 10 progressed to the subsequent phase. For firefighters, 9 indicators were identified, of which 2 were eliminated due to low CVR or CVI, and 7 advanced to the next stage. In this stage, all 36 indicators achieved acceptable applicability scores and were subsequently weighted.
Conclusion: The 36 final indicators presented in this study can be used to measure process safety performance in the oil industry. Although the present study was a case study on liquid hydrocarbon tanks, most of the indicators presented can be applied to other sectors of the oil industry. In addition, the weights specified for each of these indicators can be used to prioritize the indicators.

Protective Role of Cinnamon Extract on Oxidative Stress Induced by Gasoline Inhalation Exposure in Rat Kidneys

Narges Karimtaheri

Introduction: The rising daily consumption of gasoline has increased human exposure to its vapors. Direct contact with these vapors, due to their toxic properties, can adversely affect various organs, including the heart, lungs, skin, liver, and kidneys. Cinnamon, a widely utilized medicinal plant, is rich in antioxidants and exhibits protective effects on liver and kidney health, alongside therapeutic potential for various diseases. Therefore, this animal study aimed to investigate the protective effects of cinnamon extract against oxidative stress induced by gasoline inhalation in rat kidneys.
Material and Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing 160–180 grams were randomly divided into five groups (n=6 per group): (1) Control, (2) Cinnamon extract only, (3) Gasoline exposure only, (4) Gasoline exposure plus 100 mg/kg of cinnamon extract, and (5) Gasoline exposure plus 200 mg/kg of cinnamon extract. After four weeks of exposure, the rats were weighed and euthanized. Serum samples were collected for biochemical, serological, and enzymatic analysis, and kidney tissues were examined for histopathological changes.
Results: Gasoline exposure significantly increased kidney function markers (BUN and cystatin C) and oxidative stress markers (MDA) while reducing endogenous antioxidant activities (GSH and GPx). Histopathological analysis revealed significant kidney damage, including hemorrhage, necrosis, and tubular degeneration in the gasoline-exposed group. Cinnamon extract notably alleviated gasoline-induced kidney toxicity by reducing kidney function markers and MDA levels while enhancing endogenous antioxidant activity. Histopathological findings further confirmed the protective effects of cinnamon extract, showing reduced tissue damage in treated groups.
Conclusion: Cinnamon extract significantly reduces kidney toxicity caused by gasoline, suggesting it may protect against gasoline exposure. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties likely support this protective effect.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Propensity to Learn from Experience Related to Safety Events Questionnaire in the Industries of Mazandaran province

Zahra Naghavi-Konjin

Introduction: Using leading indicators to determine organizations’ ability and willingness to learn from safety-related events can significantly enhance occupational health and safety management systems and help prevent future incidents.
Material and Methods: This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the propensity to learn from experiences related to safety events questionnaire, among 352 operators and managers (92% response rate), using quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess face and content validity, construct validity, and reliability coefficients.
Results: Out of 49 items in the questionnaires, 48 demonstrated acceptable levels of face and content validity, with content validity indices ranging from 0.80 to 1. Reliability scores assessed through internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and intraclass correlation coefficients were reported as 0.80 and 0.95 for the operators’ questionnaire and 0.95 and 0.92 for the managers’ questionnaire, all deemed acceptable. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that both measurement models for operators and managers, comprising 12 dimensions each, exhibited strong construct validity. Notably, the operators’ measurement model, supported by a larger sample size of 271 compared to 81 for managers, yielded superior results in terms of parsimonious and adaptive fit indices.
Conclusion: The Persian version of learning from experiences related to safety events questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying learning weaknesses at both individual and organizational levels and can be utilized as a leading indicator to enhance safety culture and event’s learning processes.

A General Framework for Developing a Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment Method for Nanomaterials-Related Activities: A Critical Analysis

Farideh Golbabaei

Introduction: Nanomaterials are widely applied across diverse scientific and industrial sectors; however, their emergence has introduced a new generation of occupational hazards for workers. Concurrent with discussions on the adverse effects of nanomaterials on human health, researchers have sought to develop methods for assessing occupational risks associated with these materials. Accordingly, this study aims to propose a general framework for the development of such methods.
Material and Methods: This is a critical analysis study designed to evaluate existing methods for assessing occupational risks related to nanomaterials and ultimately propose a modified framework for refining these methods. By examining current approaches and identifying their strengths and weaknesses, the authors have proposed an improved framework for occupational risk assessment of nanomaterials.
Results: The proposed framework is based on two key dimensions: “Severity/Hazard” and “Probability/Exposure.” The first dimension determines the potential risk level arising from exposure to nanomaterials, with the most critical factors being the intrinsic properties and toxicology of the nanomaterial itself, parent materials, and similar substances. The second dimension describes the likelihood and nature of exposure to nanomaterials during work activities, with the most influential factors being worker, job tasks, and workplace environment characteristics.
Conclusion: The lack of sufficient data and numerous uncertainties regarding bio-nano interactions make quantitative risk assessment (the traditional occupational health approach) difficult, less reliable, and in some cases unfeasible for nanomaterials—given current knowledge. Qualitative and semi-quantitative approaches, such as Control Banding, despite demonstrating positive aspects, have faced significant criticism. The framework-based method proposed herein appears capable of partially overcoming these challenges.

Examining the impact of psychological contract on the relationship between HSE culture and citizenship behavior in the steel industry

Maryam Nourollahi-Darabad

Introduction: Nowadays, in order to improve the level of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) culture of employees, organizations have reached this important conclusion that the weaknesses and strengths of the system should be identified by periodically evaluating the level of HSE culture. On the other hand, Although the social exchange relationships between employers and employees are increasingly important to the performance of safety management systems, the interaction between psychological aspects, workplace safety and its relationship with employees’ HSE citizenship behavior have been less studied. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of psychological contract of HSE on the relationship between HSE culture and HSE citizenship behavior among employees in a steel manufacturing industry.
Material and Methods: In the present study, three questionnaires: Psychological contract of HSE, HSE citizenship behavior and HSE culture were used; the reliability and validity of these questionnaires approved in past studies. The questionnaires were randomly distributed to 434 employees of a steel industry. In order to model structural equations, Smart PLS software was used, the reliability and validity of the models were investigated.
Results: The results of the study showed that HSE culture is a significant predictor of HSE citizenship behavior (P-value<0.001). HSE culture has a positive and significant effect on psychological contract (P-value <0.001), and psychological contract has a mediating role in the relationship between HSE culture and HSE citizenship behavior.
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that HSE culture and psychological contract directly affect HSE citizenship behavior. Also, based on the findings of this study, HSE culture, in addition to directly affecting HSE citizenship behavior, can also affect HSE citizenship behavior by affecting psychological contract as a mediating variable.

Design, Construction, and Evaluation of an Air Filtration System Based on a Nanofiber Filter Containing a Metal-Organic Framework for the Removal of Aerosols Emitted from CNC Machining Operations

Somayeh Farhang Dehghan

Introduction: With the advancement of industries and increased use of metalworking fluids, controlling pollutants generated by machining operations has become increasingly challenging. This study aimed to address these challenges by designing an air filtration system designed specifically for this purpose.
Material and Methods: A local exhaust ventilation system was developed based on the VS-80-12 ACGIH standard, tailored to the working conditions and air sampling of the environment. The filtration system includes an aluminum pre-filter, an E11 class filter, and a nanofiber filter incorporating a metal-organic framework. The performance of the system was evaluated by measuring the numerical concentration of particles and the mass concentration of oil mist at both the inlet and outlet. The results were then compared to those obtained from an E1 class filter.
Results: The results obtained from XRD and FTIR analyses showed that ZIF-8 had high crystallinity and was successfully incorporated into the structure of the fibrous media filter containing metal-organic framework. The evaluation revealed that the filtration system effectively removed pollutant particles at their source. Notably, the initial efficiency for larger particles reached 100%, while the average removal efficiency for particles smaller than 2.5 microns was 99%.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the combination of nanofiber filters with a metal-organic framework and aluminum pre-filters presents an effective solution for controlling particulate pollutants from machining operations. However, further research is necessary to comprehensively assess the system’s performance, particularly regarding dust loading capacity. Future studies should also explore the effects of various factors, such as airflow rate and the type of metalworking fluid, on the system’s efficacy.

Designing a Structural Model of Human Resource Management Practices Focused on the Elderly in Public Organizations

Hossein Mansoori

Introduction: Demographic changes are an inevitable phenomenon in today’s organizations. By acknowledging the aging of the workforce as a significant organizational challenge, the purpose of this research is to design a structural model of elderly-oriented human resource management measures in public organizations.
Material and Methods: This study is categorized as applied in terms of objective, descriptive-survey in terms of approach, and a mixed-method design (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of data collection. The information gathering tools used to review the research literature were library research methods, while a questionnaire was employed for collecting field data. Initially, the Delphi method was utilized to extract and identify elderly-oriented human resource management practices. In the second phase, a quantitative method was used to validate the model of elderly-oriented practices in public organizations and assess the current status of these practices.
Results: The results obtained from the model’s goodness-of-fit in SmartPls 3 software and confirmatory factor analysis indicated high validity of the elderly-oriented human resource management practice model.
Conclusion: Additionally, the findings revealed that, from the perspective of the study’s employees, the status of elderly-oriented human resource management practices in terms of implementation was not in a desirable state and did not meet employees’ expectations.

A systematic review of computational simulation methods for predicting the toxicity of chemical compounds

Rezvan Zendehdel

Introduction: With the rapid development of new chemicals across various industries and the growing need for efficient and accurate toxicity assessments, in silico methods have emerged as a screening tool due to their cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and reduction in animal testing. The aim of this review is to examine the existing studies on the application of in silico methods in predicting the toxicity of chemical compounds in occupational and industrial settings.
Material and Methods: This systematic review follows established protocols and is based on data extracted from reputable scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review analyzes articles published between 2000 and 2024 that utilized in silico methods for toxicity prediction in occupational toxicology. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that applied modeling, simulation, and prediction methods primarily to chemical toxicity in workplace environments. Also, the quality assessment of the articles was done using the STROBE form.
Results: This study surveyed 13 articles on computer simulation of chemical compounds from 2000 to 2024. The majority of research was conducted between 2020 and 2024. The reviewed articles, based on the STROBE form, had a moderate to high quality. Various methods, including Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), machine learning, and molecular dynamics, were widely used to predict the toxicity of chemical compounds, with the predictive accuracy of these models generally being high. The results also indicated that QSAR methods had the most application in studies predicting the toxicity of chemical compounds used in industries.
Conclusion: In silico methods, using molecular descriptors and structural data, have shown high accuracy in predicting toxicity. However, challenges such as limitations in reliable data, the need for model improvement, lack of experimental data, and the complexity of chemical interactions exist. The results indicated that the use of computational methods can significantly reduce the need for animal testing and improve risk assessment. These studies also emphasize the importance of improving and developing predictive models to enhance their accuracy and applicability. Overall, it can be said that modeling can serve as an effective tool in reducing costs and improving safety in workplace environments.

Leadership Styles and Safety Performance among Employees in Healthcare Facilities: A Systematic Review

Ali Karimi

Introduction: Safety in healthcare facilities is critically important for the health and well-being of employees, patients, and organizational effectiveness. In recent years, various studies have examined the relationship between leadership styles or approaches and safety performance as one of the indicators of safety promotion. The present systematic review examines the relationship between different leadership styles and the safety performance of employees in healthcare facilities to provide a better understanding of the positive or negative effects of leadership on safety and to suggest strategies for improving safety performance in healthcare facilities.
Material and Methods: A search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI) databases. Keywords related to leadership, safety performance, and healthcare employees were used. Studies published up to the end of 2024 were identified and reviewed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.
Results: Nineteen relevant papers were selected and included in the study. During the review of studies, eleven leadership styles or approaches were identified in relation to safety performance in various healthcare facilities. These included transformational leadership, leader-member exchange leadership, leader safety priority communication and feedback, ethical leadership, empowering leadership, inconsistent and destructive leadership, transactional leadership, task-oriented leadership, authentic leadership, safety leadership, and servant leadership. All leadership styles except for inconsistent and destructive leadership had a direct or indirect positive effect on safety performance. Also, the largest number of studies (n=4) focused on transformational leadership style and leader-member exchange leadership.
Conclusion: The selection of appropriate leadership styles can contribute to enhanced safety, a reduction in occupational incidents, and improving service quality in healthcare settings. The findings of this study highlight the importance of developing effective leadership styles and strengthening appropriate managerial approaches to improve safety in healthcare facilities.