Showing 11 results for Kian
F. Kiani, M. R. Khodabakhsh,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (12-2013)
Abstract
Introduction: Researches show that workplace quality play important role in developing job involvement. The purpose of this study was to determine the predicted power of job involvement by perceived supervisor support and perceived coworker support.
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Material and Method: This research was a cross-sectional study. The participants consisted of 189 employees from Isfahan Steel Company in 2012 and they were selected according to the stratified random sampling method and responded questionnaires about demographic characteristics, perceived supervisor support, perceived coworker support and job involvement. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis.
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Result: The results showed that there were significant relationships between perceived supervisor support and perceived coworker support with job involvement (p<0.05). Also, results indicated that the variables of perceived supervisor support and perceived coworker support significantly predicted almost 13% and 11% of job involvement variance (p<0.05).
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Conclusion: The research results maintain the importance of psycho-social variables in predicting job involvement in workers.
Z. S. Nezamodini, Z. Rezvani, K. Kian,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (1-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: In the process industries, especially industries with hydrocarbons uses, due to flammability and reactivity of materials, high temperature, operation pressure, volatility and evaporability of liquid, fire and explosion hazard always has a great significances.The purpose of this study was to assess the quantitative fire safety using DOW’s fire and explosion index, in an oil extraction industry.
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Material and Method: The required information for conducting this research was obtained from process documents, DOW’s fire and explosion guideline,the measured operational parameters and also interviews and consultation with the supervisors and experts. Following, the study was conducted in three phases: 1) determination of DOW index, the radius and area of contact, 2) determination of loss control credit factor and finally 3) loss estimation.
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Result: Fire and explosion index in the understudy process unit was calculated 243.68 and thus severity of risk was extremely high and unacceptable. Radius of exposure and loss control credit factor wasobtained62.38 meters and 0.69, respectively. Finally,the most probable loss was estimated about 2863500 dollars.
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Conclusion: DOW’s fire and explosion index is a suitable technique to measure the fire risk of whole plant or a part of it. Thus, this criterion can be used to propose the changes or amount of protective equipment according to their effect in reducing the losses.
Mostafa Pouyakian, Mahnaz Saremi, Korosh Etemad, Hamid Shafagh,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Pharmacies are one of the main elements of the service chain in the health system in each country. Therefore, it is important to identify characteristics of the job as well as the health issues of the employees of this business. The aim of the current study was to investigate the ergonomic issues of pharmacies.
Material and Method: This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis during a 5- month study in the pharmacies of Maragheh city, Iran. Data was collected using focus group discussion. Thirty individual including 12 Pharmacists, 12 pharmacy technicians and 6 inspectors of deputy of the food and drugs office participated in five meetings. Data analysis was carried out simultaneously using the conducted content analysis.
Result: Using content analysis method 23 ergonomic issues were identified in the studied pharmacies. These issues were categorized into three broad categories based on the classification of the International Ergonomics Association (physical, cognitive, and organizational issues). The results showed that from ergonomic point of view, different issues of all three categories such as work postures, work space and layout, mental workload and work-rest schedules are of great importance for staffs. Some issues were more emphasized by personnel, themselves.
Conclusion: Unlike what appears at first, pharmacies as a work environment have multiple issues related to workforce health. Therefore, the occupational health and ergonomic evaluation of pharmacies that has been neglected should be taken into account by ergonomic researchers. Also, interventions to promote the ergonomic level of pharmacies require attention to all aspects of ergonomics. The results of this study can be used as a basis for promoting the regulations of establishment and utilization of pharmacies as well as ergonomic assessment of them.
Ameneh Fayazi, Mostafa Pouyakian, Mohammad Javad Jafari, Soheila Khodakarim,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (4-2019)
Abstract
Introduction: Changing the national System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is beneficial for all the industries of the countries, their workers and the general public. Increasing the awareness of chemical hazards, improving the safety uses, reducing chemical accidents, and providing better conditions for emergency response in the event of chemical accidents, are some of the most important benefits of the GHS. Present study aimed to develop a tool for assessing the awareness level of chemical related personnel using the GHS and current status.
Material and Methods: By reviewing the literatures, the GHS Guide, available sources and consultation with experts, two questionnaires were developed to assess the level of awareness of chemical related personnel and current statue. The two designed questionnaires included personal information, multiple choice questions and questions related to safety signs. The face and content validity was conducted using the experts’ panel assessment. The face validity, content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were all calculated for each question.
Results: Content Validity Ratios (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) were calculated for each question. The general clarity, general fit and general simplicity of the awareness questionnaire (questionnaire number 1) were obtained 0.87, 0.91 and 0.77, respectively. The mean content validity index and the mean content validity ratio were obtained 0.85, 0.85, respectively. The overall clarity, overall fit, and the general simplicity of the current status questionnaire (questionnaire number 2) was 0.92, 0.89 and 0.93, respectively. The mean content validity index and mean content validity ratio were obtained 0.92 and 0.81, respectively.
Conclusion: The two questionnaires used to assess the awareness level of chemical related personnel and current statue of GHS, were identified as valid instruments and therefore is recommended as a valid tool for future studies.
Sahel Khakkar, Mohammad Ranjbarian, Soheila Khodakarim, Mostafa Pouyakian,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (8-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: Commercial complexes are one of the most prestigious public and city-centered areas in terms of urban safety and passive defense. The purpose of this study was to determine the fire safety risk score of commercial complexes and its related factors.
Material and method: The commercial complexes of area 1 of District 12 of Tehran were studied. The characteristics of the complexes, including construction, height, activity, Occupancy Coefficient and etc in each complex were collected. fire risk assessment was performed using NFPA101 standard and CFSES software in three areas of control, Egress and general safety. In SPSS software version 21, linear regression and ANOVA tests were used to determine the relationship between variables.
Results: Of the 79 commercial complexes studied, only 8 in control area and 4 in general area achieved acceptable risk level. None of them achieved an acceptable score in the Egress. According to the results, there was no significant relationship between risk levels and height, type and activity Coefficient of them(p>0.05). However, between Occupancy Coefficient of complexes with fire safety risk levels of control(p<0.001) and general(p= 0.013) and between construction with all risk levels ((pEgress= 0.004), (pControl & pGeneral<0.001)) There was a significant relationship.
Conclusion: The results showed the current situation of the studied commercial complexes is prone to cause a disaster in the 12th district of Tehran; Using the results of this study in urban planning and cross-sectoral communication to improve the safety of commercial complexes in the region is suggested.
Esmaeil Karami, Zahra Goodarzi, Reza Chahardoli, Mahmoud Ghazi Khansari, Mehrafarin Kiani, Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Although aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) are the most widely used nanomaterials, limited studies have been reported on their toxicology. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of aluminum oxide (alumina) nanoparticles and the protective role of aqueous extract of wormwood plant on nanomaterial-induced disorders in the lung of rats.
Material and Methods: Here, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Next, the rats were first exposed to 200 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of wormwood plant (by gavage) for 15 days and then received a dose of 30 mg/kg of aluminum oxide nanoparticles as an intraperitoneal injection for 14 days. Furthermore, various features of clinical signs, body weight, biochemical parameters, gene expression changes, lung weight ratio, histopathological observations, and metal content in lung tissue were evaluated during the experiment. Eventually, the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and Tukey’s range test were employed to analyze and compare the mean of the data.
Results: The results revealed that aluminum oxide nanoparticles at a concentration of 30 mg/kg body weight led to changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, e.g., T-SOD, CAT, GPx, and TAC, lipid peroxidation, and iNOS for exposed rats. Also, the above biochemical disorders were associated with altered expression of oxidative stress-related genes (HO-1, MT-1) and histological changes in the lung tissue. On the other hand, simultaneous intake of aqueous extract of wormwood plant and aluminum oxide nanoparticles in rats significantly improved the studied parameters (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Our findings showed that the γ-Al2O3 NPs were more toxic than α-Al2O3 NPs, which can be attributed to changes related to their size and shape characteristics. Also, it was observed that the wormwood plant could play a protective role against aluminum oxide nanoparticles-induced pulmonary toxicity in rats.
Zahra Alizadeh, Mostafa Pouyakian, Koorosh Etemad,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Human beings are inherently different and this fact can affect his/her behavior in work environments. The aim of this study was to examine the individual differences of employees (personality traits, biological and demographic factors) as a predictor of unsafe behaviors in a turbine manufacturing company.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, safety behavior sampling technique, NEO-FFI questionnaire, demographic information questionnaire, BMI and cell type method were used to determine unsafe behaviors, personality traits, demographic variables, body mass index and blood group system, respectively. The statistical sample of the study was 260 employees of a turbine manufacturing industry. The SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze the data.
Results: The results showed that 44.5% of employees’ behaviors were unsafe. There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of unsafe behaviors with smoking, BMI, blood type and neuroticism and agreeableness dimensions measured by NEO-FFI (p < 0.05). BMI was the most important predictorof unsafe behaviors in the present study.
Conclusion: Due to the role of individual differences in people’s tendency to unsafe behaviors, the results of this study can be considered in job design, screening of personnel according to their individual differences, and perform better interventions to prevent accidents at work.
Younes Mehrifar, Soleiman Ramezanifar, Sona Beyrami, Sara Talebolhagh, Ehsan Ramezanifar, Pardis Amiri, Mostafa Pouyakian,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Due to occupational accidents, many costs are annually lost from the countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Estimating these costs can be essential for optimal investments and establishing appropriate policies in many countries, such as Iran. The present study aimed to review the studies conducted on the safety economics and the costs of accidents in Iran from 2000 to 2021.
Material and Methods: The reliable databases “Web of Science”, “Embase”, “IranDoc”, “SID”, “Magiran”, “Google Scholar”, “PubMed” and “Scopus” were used to conduct this research. Articles in these databases were searched and extracted by searching for keywords such as “accident”, “cost of accidents”, “occupational accidents” and “Iran” in Persian and English from 2000 to 2021.
Results: Among the 66 identified articles, 19 were selected as final articles, of which 11 studies were carried out in the transportation industry and eight in other industries. Among these studies, nine studies only examined and stated the total costs, and six studies separately examined and stated the direct, indirect, and total costs. Four other studies also investigated and expressed the costs caused by accidents in other ways. Most notably, in three studies, the number of direct costs is higher than indirect costs. Similarly, only six studies estimated the damage to the GDP, ranging from 0.03% to 6.46% of the GDP.
Conclusion: The results of the review of studies showed that occupational accidents cause the loss of a significant part of Iran’s GDP. It is recommended to carry out further studies on the relationship between investment in the safety sector and reducing the costs of accidents concerning the grouping of jobs, mainly in the process, service, and production industries, to prevent wasting such heavy costs.
Younes Mehrifar, Majid Abasi, Kazem Samimi, Saber Moradi Hanifi, Mostafa Pouyakian,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Many general indicators have been proposed to assess an organization’s safety performance. However, due to their holistic nature, these indicators may not always reflect safety-specific aspects of an organization’s performance. In other words, the nature of an organization’s activities necessitates the use of specific criteria to better reflect safety performance. This study aimed to identify and measure key safety performance indicators using the Delphi method in Alborz Province Electric Power Distribution Company.
Material and Methods: This descriptive, survey-based study utilized the Delphi method to collect the opinions of 11 safety experts in the electric power distribution industry. Opinions were gathered in four phases, and key indicators were determined in the last phase of the study. These indicators were subsequently used to evaluate the safety performance of Alborz Electric Power Distribution Company for three months.
Results: This study identified and documented 34 safety activities. The expert group proposed 20 indicators in the first phase of the Delphi method. In the second and third phases, four and one indicators were eliminated, respectively, because they did not receive the required score. The content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) were calculated for the remaining 15 indices in the fourth phase. The results revealed that the mean quarterly performance scores of Alborz Province electric power distribution districts and departments in 2016, including Nazarabad, Savojbolagh, Mehrshahr, Fardis, West, East, Taleghan, and Eshtehard, were 78.9, 54.7, 78.8, 75.9, 75.7, 80.8, 61, and 83.5 out of 100 points, respectively.
Conclusion: The Delphi method is useful for identifying key safety performance indicators. The indicators discovered using this technique are active indicators (pre-accident) that are crucial in determining Alborz Electric Power Distribution Company’s safety performance. These indicators are suggested for use in evaluating the safety performance of other electric power distribution companies.
Aysa Ghasemi Koozekonan, Mostafa Pouyakian, Abbas Alipour, Kazem Samimi, Farhad Tabatabai Ghomsheh,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: The design of traffic signs should consider human cognitive abilities to enhance drivers’ understanding of the signs. Cognitive features, as one of the crucial principles of ergonomics, are among the influential factors in the design of signs. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of graphic elements of eight new sign designs based on cognitive features on conveying the message “prohibition of using mobile phones.”
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in six driving schools in Tehran in 2013. One hundred seventy-four participants, with an average age of 23.5 and a standard deviation of six years, participated in this study. Participants were then presented with the designed signs through a colored questionnaire. They were instructed to evaluate the signs’ cognitive features including simplicity, concreteness, meaningfulness, and semantic closeness—using a Likert scale ranging from 0 to 100.
Results: The results revealed that the average score of the cognitive features of the designed signs is higher than other traffic, industrial and pharmaceutical signs. In this study, “semantic closeness” was the best cognitive feature for predicting the message of the signs. The sign with the “hands-free” element had the best performance in transferring the message.
Conclusion: This research aimed to identify the most effective of eight proposed signs for banning mobile phone use while driving. Participants rated the sign featuring a button phone with a hands-free symbol as the top choice. Although most of the mobile phones in the market are of the touch screen type and the use of button phones has decreased a lot, the symbol of these phones as the dominant symbol still effectively conveys messages.
Seyed Husein Naziri, Mostafa Pouyakian, Sedigheh Sadegh Hassani, Somayeh Farhang Dehghan,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Due to uncertainties regarding the risks of engineered nanomaterials for human health and the environment, different organizations and researchers have developed various management frameworks and assessment tools to mitigate hazards during the procedures and applications of engineered nanomaterials. However, most of these techniques do not meet all the individual requirements. This study provides a review and introduction to the techniques developed for the management of safety, health, and environmental risks associated with engineered nanomaterials.
Material and Methods: In order to find pertinent documents on the safe handling of engineered nanomaterials, a search was conducted using the following keywords: “Engineered nanomaterials”, “Framework”, “Tool”, “Risk management”, “Occupational exposure”, “Environment”, “Risk assessment”, and “Nanotechnology”. The search was conducted on various databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, NIOSH, ECHA, and ISO. Among the search results, tools and frameworks that specifically focus on the safety, health, and environmental risk management or assessment of engineered nanomaterials were selected.
Results: Among the search results, 17 frameworks and 11 developments in the field of managing occupational, environmental, and toxicological risks associated with engineered nanomaterials were discussed. Various frameworks and tools for identifying, evaluating, and managing the potential risks of engineered nanomaterials vary in terms of their scope, goals, risk assessment approaches, and output, offering diverse applications.
Conclusion: Various tools and frameworks, each with unique properties, applications, and limitations, can assist organizations in achieving their goals related to safety, health, and environmental issues in the field of nanotechnology. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal approach for assessing the risks of nanomaterials, underscoring the necessity for additional research, development, and collaboration in this field.
