Soleiman Ramezanifar, Ehsan Ramezanifar, Elahe Khadiv, Ali Salehi Sahlabadi, Davoud Eskandari, Mahshid Namdari,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Human error can occur in many work environments, especially in control rooms. Due to the vital role of the central railway traffic control room in guiding and controlling all types of trains along the railway network, any error in this control room can lead to a catastrophic accident. This study aims to identify and assess human error in the central control room of railway traffic using the HEART technique.
Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2021. In this research, tasks and sub-tasks were identified using the hierarchical task analysis (HTA) method. Then, the probability of human error was assessed using the HEART technique.
Results: Based on the results of the HTA method, 67 main tasks, and 149 sub-tasks were identified. The study results on the probability of human error using the HEART technique showed that the three main tasks of the traffic expert (distribution of types of diesel, establishing the freight priority, and planning the movement of trains) had the highest probability of error. In addition, the most critical factors influencing human error were “evidence of illness among employees”, “sleep disorder”, “inexperience”, “unfamiliarity”, and “stress”.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the central railway traffic control room employees are prone to errors, and if these staff make errors, irreparable accidents will occur. To reduce the probability of error of these employees, measures should be considered, such as using regular and appropriate shifts, the use of skilled and competent people, and so on.
Fatemeh Paridokht, Akram Tabrizi, Ali Mohsenian, Yaser Khorshidi Behzadi, Ali Salehi Sahlabadi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (3-2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Dentistry is considered a highly stressful profession due to its nature, placing dentists at an increased risk of occupational burnout and musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to investigate stress, occupational burnout, and musculoskeletal discomfort among dentists, as well as the role of ergonomics in reducing these problems.
Material and Methods: This study is a systematic review of articles published from 2000 to March 2025 in three databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. The inclusion criteria required original research in English—experimental, observational, or conference-based—addressing both the prevalence of occupational stress, burnout, and/or WMSD in dentists and the impact of ergonomic interventions. Unrelated articles, review papers, books, letters to the editor, and book chapters were excluded.
Results: Out of 366 identified articles, 28 met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently reported discomforts were in the neck, lower back, shoulders, wrists, upper back, forearms, and arms, respectively. Dentists with a higher risk of occupational burnout reported more health complaints, and patient care was identified as the main source of stress. Moreover, the use of ergonomic aids—such as dental magnification loupes, optimized hand tool designs, and prismatic glasses—played a significant role in reducing musculoskeletal discomfort among dentists.
Conclusion: Stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal disorders are common challenges in the dental profession. Strong evidence supports the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in reducing the physical burden of these problems; however, implementation faces barriers such as high costs and insufficient training. Therefore, it is recommended that ergonomic principles and the use of assistive tools be integrated as essential components of dental education curricula and ongoing professional development programs.
