Journal of Health and Safety at Work

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Introduction: One of the most important threats for employees working in chemical industries is exposing to the chemical materials. Lack of precaution and control regulations during working with chemicals can have irreparable consequences. So, in order to achieve an effective control program, it is necessary to have an appropriate assessment of the procedures involving exposure to the chemicals. William-fine method can provide an acceptable insight into hazard risk rate.

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Material and Method: In this study, a combination of AHP and William-fine adopted to achieve a model for chemicals exposure risk assessment in oil and gas industry. The numbers were extracted from questionnaire, and then, they weighted entered to assessment the model. Finally, they were presented quantitatively with protection layer.

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Result and Conclusion: The results revealed that the quantitative amount of consequence, probability and exposure was 83.2, 8.45, and 2.2, respectively. Generally, the chemical exposure risk number was 1546 which shows that reforming plans are in highly priorities from an economical point of view. William-fine method has the benefit of an accurate chemical exposure by combination of effect severity, exposure probability and detriment rate, and also minimization of personal judgments during the assessment.

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Introduction: Given the increase of road transportation of dangerous materials, if an accident occurs, the first groups that present at the scene are rescue groups (emergency، red crescent and firefighters). The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the questionnaire assessing level of knowledge in the rescue personnel regarding warning signs mounted on the road heavy machinery.

Material and Method: Firstly, a multiple-choice questionnaire was designed using the literature and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Validity of the questionnaire was examined using the viewpoints of 10 experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using test-retest in 20 subjects of the rescue groups in two-week intervals. The cut point of the questionnaire was determined by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC).

Result: The mean of age and work experience of the participants was 32.42 ± 2.57 and 7.75 ± 2.70. The results of correlation between the questions of the test showed that Cronbach’s alpha is 0.708. Also, the stability and reliability of test scores over time showed that the correlation between the questions in the first and second series was significance at acceptable level (r=0.698 with P-value=0.012(. The best value of cut point in the questionnaire of knowledge in the rescue personnel as obtained 18.5, with the sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 50%.

Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the knowledge assessment questionnaire in the rescue personnel were confirmed regarding the warning signs mounted on the road heavy machines; therefore, it can be used in the future studies.

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Introduction: Global Harmonized System (GHS), is a system for labeling chemicals. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of rapid training intervention on student’s awareness toward Global Harmonized System.  
Material and Methods: This research was a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study conducted among 317 students of Public Health and Allied Medical Sciences faculties of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016 year. Sampling was done in a random base among the study population.  A general demographic and a global system labeling questionnaires were used for data collection. Training intervention for familiarization with the chemical safety labels, types of chemicals hazardous was implemented using a rapid training method and PowerPoint tool. Data analysis was performed by T-Tests, ANOVA and T-Paired using the SPSS version 18.
Results: Allied medical sciences students with an average of 48.31% before training and occupational health students with an average of 94.44% correct answers after the training have the highest awareness on global harmonized system (GHS). The findings also showed that training has a significant effect on the awareness on the international labeling system.
Conclusion: The present study showed that initial awareness of the students is low concerning the global harmonized system. So, the prevention of serious accidents in the laboratory environment, the implementation of a short training course would play a significant role in raising students’ awareness about chemical hazards and will control unsafe behaviors during laboratory works.

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Introduction: The purpose of the current study was to predict the percentage of the sway index from the static balance point based on the anthropometric dimensions of construction workers.
Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 114 construction workers. First, the construction workers were asked to complete the demographic questionnaire and the inclusion criteria were determined. Then, the anthropometric dimensions were measured. Afterward, the static balance of participants was assessed with their open eyes and standing position using a Stabilometer device. The obtained data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression.
Results: 29.8% of construction workers were in weak and very weak classes in terms of static balance. The Pearson and spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between age, weight, and sway index of individuals. In addition, multiple linear regression showed that age, weight, and foot surface of construction workers can predict the percentage of the sway index from the static balance point among construction workers.
Conclusion: The results of the current study indicated that demographic information such as age, anthropometric parameters of weight, and foot surface are effective factors on static balance in a healthy construction workers’ community with a normal body mass index.

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Introduction: Climate change and hot processes in the workplaces has led to an increase in the effects of heat stress on employed people, which has become a major concern, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Early detection of biomarkers in induction of heat stress-related DNA damage can be used in the identification and evaluation of health and safety, including occupational health professionals, as well as to prevent serious diseases caused by heat stress in various occupations with the nature of hot processes or to help different warm seasons of the year. Therefore, this review study was conducted to identify diagnostic biomarkers heat stress induced- DNA damage in occupational exposure.
Material and Methods: Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were systematically searched to meet the study’s goals. Moreover, references to relevant publications were examined. Finally, suitable articles were selected and analyzed using the inclusion (studies on different occupations, different biomarkers in hot work environments, all articles published without time limit until the end of April 2022 , and English and Persian language)  and exclusion criteria.
Results: The results of search in databases showed that 9234 articles were found in the initial search. After removing duplicate and unrelated articles, 2209 eligible articles were selected. Based on abstract full-text screening, 7166 studies were excluded, and based on abstract full-text screening, 21 studies were not accessible. Finally, seven articles were selected to be reviewed. The evidence showed that diagnostic biomarkers included the measurement of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), micronuclei semen quality, heat shock proteins (HSP70), and leukocytes were extracted to heat stress induced- DNA damage in occupational exposure.
Conclusion: Based on a review of studies,  biomarkers identified are suitable for heat stress induced- DNA damage as a result of occupational exposure to extremely high heat climate conditions. Understanding and identifying appropriate biomarkers in inducing DNA damage can help health and safety professionals determine the amount and magnitude of heat stress responses in occupational exposure to different temperatures and take appropriate measures and interventions to control and reduce the hazard effects of thermal stress. This study can also be considered as a preliminary study for research in the future.