Journal of Health and Safety at Work

---

Introduction: The study of noise has always been of interest to occupational health professionals as a harmful physical factor in the workplace. However, the psychological and psychoacoustic aspects of noise in the workplace have been less studied. This study has dealt with different colors of noise and their applications in psychoacoustics.
Material and Methods: This review study was conducted by searching the databases of Google Scholar, ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus to extract the articles related to the research subject within a 50-year interval from 1970 to 2020.
Results: Based on the results of the present study, colored noises and white noise seem to have the potential to be used as acoustic stimuli to improve the sleep of employees, especially shift workers, to improve memory and attention, especially in jobs that require high care and attention. Colored noise and white noise have potential applications to improve cognitive function in different occupations to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and anxiety and stress, especially in jobs with high job stress. Also, these noises are helpful for people’s privacy, especially in the open workplace, for noise masking and noise control purposes, as well as for medicine and treatment of disorders such as tinnitus, ADHD, and hyperacusis.
Conclusion: Paying attention to the colors of noise and their psychoacoustic impacts shows us that the noise impacts are not limited to their undesirable and damaging effects. Instead, their positive and applied aspects should also note. Familiarity with such aspects and their introduction can identify the existing information gaps in this field and pave the way to fill them.

---

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.

---

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.

---

Introduction: In recent years, driver’s drowsiness has been one of the leading causes of road accidents, which can lead to physical injuries, death, and significant economic losses. Statistics show that an efficient system is needed to detect the driver’s drowsiness, that gives the necessary warning before an unfortunate event occurs. Therefore, this review study was conducted to investigate the studies on driver’s drowsiness sensors and to present a combination of diagnostic methods and an efficient model design.
Material and Methods: This narrative review study was conducted through a systematic search using “driver” and “drowsiness detection” as search keywords in indexing databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Sciences. The search encompassed the latest related research conducted in this field from 2010 to September 2020. The reference lists were also reviewed to find further studies.
Results: In general, researchers evaluate driver’s drowsiness using three methods including vehicle-based measurement, behavioural measurement, and physiological measurement. The details and how these measurements are made make a big difference to the existing systems. In this study, which is a narrative review, the three mentioned measurements were examined using sensors and also the advantages and limitations of each were discussed. Real and simulated driving conditions were also compared. In addition, different ways to detect drowsiness in the laboratory were examined. Finally, after an analytical comparison of the methods of diagnosing drowsiness, a diagram was presented based on which an efficient and combined model was developed.
Conclusion: Taking into account the limitations of each of the methods, we need a combination of behavioural, performance, and other measures to have an efficient drowsiness diagnosing model. Such model must be tested using simulations and in real world situations.

---

Introduction: Numerous studies have been conducted on the development of modern insulators, including nano-insulators. However, a comprehensive study has yet to be performed to review and investigate the thermal properties of these insulators. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the effect of nanomaterials on thermal insulation function.
Material and Methods: In this review, articles were searched for in English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect), Persian databases (Magiran, SID), and Google Scholar. The keywords used in the search were Nano Material, Nano Insulation, Thermal Insulation, Thermal Insulator Stability, and Thermal Conductivity in both English and Persian.
Results: Of the 4068 studies identified through search databases, 15 were selected according to the entry criteria. Among the studies, the three types of silicone, composite, and aerogel insulation had the highest frequency (each 26.67%), and SiO2 nanoparticles were the most prevalent nanomaterial (26.67%). According to the studies, the type of nanomaterial used in insulation will improve its properties such as thermal resistance, mechanical strength, dielectric strength, tensile strength, elasticity, and hardness.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that using nanotechnology could be an effective step in improving the properties of insulation materials, the most important of which is increased thermal resistance. Moreover, nanotechnology insulators can prevent thermal energy loss, reduce costs, and provide safety and comfort.

---

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.
 

---

Introduction: Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the world. Smoking occupational and environmental exposures are the most important causes of lung cancer. Cadmium is known as a human carcinogen due to its ability to increase lung cancer risk. This study estimates the general results of all studies on the relationship between cadmium and lung cancer.
Material and Methods: In the present study, studies that evaluated the relationship between cadmium and lung cancer until May 2022 were searched and retrieved. From the funnel plot to determine the existence of diffusion skew, from the statistical tests Chi-squared test (x2) and I2 to determine heterogeneity, from the meta-regression method to identify the root of heterogeneity, and from the sensitivity analysis approach to identify the effect of each study on the result, it was generally used. This study performed all analyses with Stata statistical software version 15.
Results: In this study, it was observed that the chance of developing lung cancer compared to the base group, in the people exposed to a higher dose than the base level of cadmium is equal to 1.31 (95% CI: 1.06-1.62; p-value = 0.024), which is statistically significant. Based on Egger’s test (p-value = 0.178) and Begg’s (p-value = 0.276), no diffusion bias was observed in this study.
Conclusion: ccording to the final results of this review research, exposure to cadmium leads to a 31% increase in lung cancer risk, which is statistically significant. Therefore, cadmium is a risk factor for lung cancer.

---

Introduction: In recent years, exposure to nanomaterials has been known as a challenge among occupational health experts. In this line, personal protective equipment has been considered as a solution to reduce the worker’s exposure. Since respiratory and skin tracts represent the most common workplace exposure routes, knowledge of the efficiency of respiratory and skin protection equipment is particularly important. So, the aim of this study is the assessment of the efficiency of respiratory and skin protection equipment toward controlling nanoparticles in the workplace with a scoping review approach.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in 2022 with a scoping review approach. Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step framework was chosen as the research method. The search strategy was followed in the databases necessary to access the research data, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Scopus. Also, EndNote X9® and Microsoft Excel software were used to collect and analyze studies, respectively.
Results: In the first step, 1014 articles were identified. Finally, 38 articles were included in the study to examine quantitative and qualitative information about the efficiency of respiratory and skin protective equipment. Twenty-five articles were related to breathing masks, and six studies were about protective gloves, and seven other articles were devoted to protective clothing. According to the studies of breathing masks, the mean total penetration of nanoparticles was estimated at 2.27%. Also, based on the studies of protective clothing, the maximum penetration of nanoparticles was 30nm for protective clothing made of polypropylene and polyethylene with different layers.
Conclusion: Although the efficiency of existing personal protective equipment showed a good result for controlling nanoparticles, the size of nanoparticles is one of the essential parameters in determining the efficiency of the equipment, which should be considered the workplaces. So, it is recommended that more studies be considered to improve their efficiency, and standard tests should be developed to evaluate them.

---

Introduction: For years, chemical process industries have reported the unexpected release of highly hazardous liquids and gases. A disaster could not be avoided when these materials were not adequately controlled. The issue of Process Safety Management (PSM) is still being discussed in developing and developed countries. PSM was established to manage the risks of a company’s personnel, properties, products, environment, and credit risks. This study aimed to review the challenges and achievements of PSM implementation and provide recommendations for improvement.
Material and Methods: A collection of scholarly articles published from 2000 to 2023, such as Science Direct, WOS, PubMed, and Scopus, was chosen through a systematic, meticulous review. After thoroughly examining these abstracts, titles, and complete contexts, 49 articles were finally selected for inclusion in the study and classified based on different criteria, such as publication year, authors, achievements, and challenges.
Results: PSM in the United States has been chiefly studied due to the high number of chemical process industries and its presence in the form of OSHA legislation in this country. The areas of operations, audits, and resources have the most challenges in implementing PSM. On the other hand, reducing the severity of incidents in chemical processes and increasing productivity are considered the most significant achievements of PSM implementation.
Conclusion: PSM as an interdisciplinary field has improved  and become more effective over the years.. However, incidents still exist, and the number can increase, considering the growth of industries’ chemical processes. Therefore, a deep look at the issues of risk-based regulations, competency, operational excellence, and learning from incidents is necessary to achieve excellence in PSM.

---

Introduction: Workers who work in warm situations need clothes with better thermal regulation. Nowadays, improving the thermal regulation properties of cotton fabric by treating it with phase change materials (PCMs) has been considered. The type of fabric plays an important role in providing thermal comfort. Cotton fabric is the most popular raw material in the textile industry due to its distinctive features. Therefore, this systematic review aims to investigate the effects of PCM nanoencapsulation in commonly used cotton fabrics, including morphology, thermal properties, thermal stability, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, leakage, water absorption, washing ability, and breathability of the fabric, related challenges, and future research trends.
Material and Methods: This research was conducted with the papers obtained from the systematic search in Science Direct, Web of Sciences, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Keywords “nanoencapsulated phase change materials”, “nanoenhanced phase change materials”, “cotton”, “cotton fabric”, and “cotton textiles” were used.
Results: Of the 1251 studies identified through search databases, 13 were selected according to the entry criteria. The results revealed that in all the studies, PCM nanocapsules were successfully synthesized and inserted into the cotton fabric, improving the fabric’s thermal properties. Most studies used in situ polymerization and mini-emulsion polymerization for nanoencapsulation. The pad-dry-cure method was also widely used for applying nanocapsules to cotton fabric.
Conclusion: This systematic review showed that synthesized nanocapsules of phase change materials and applied them to cotton fabric can improve the thermoregulating properties of the fabric. It is suggested to expand the research to design thermoregulating clothes made from treated fabrics and investigate their cooling performance.

---

Introduction: Despite the numerous studies on occupational noise-induced hearing loss, there is limited documentation on the vibration effects on the workers’ auditory system. Heavy equipment drivers are exposed to high levels of whole-body vibration (WBV) and noise. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the heavy equipment drivers’ auditory response to WBV exposure and combined exposure to noise and WBV.
Material and Methods: 30 male heavy equipment drivers with an average age of 32.40 ± 4.91 years participated in this study, which was designed based on the repeated measurements model. During 3 defined scenarios of exposure to WBV, combined exposure to noise and WBV, as well as the scenario without exposure, the drivers’ auditory response was measured using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Statistical analyses were performed by IBM SPSS-25 software.
Results: The range of heavy equipment in-cabin noise was 84-89 dB. Also, the most exposure of drivers to WBV was obtained in the Z axis with an average acceleration of 1.29 m/s2. The DPOAE amplitude of the drivers in all three investigated scenarios showed significant changes (P<0.05); But in comparison between different scenarios, exposure to WBV and combined exposure to noise and WBV had a significant effect on the response of the auditory system of the participants in the study compared to the scenario without exposure (P<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the changes of the DPOAE amplitude in different frequencies; Thus, the most changes in the DPOAE amplitude were observed in the frequencies of around 4000 Hz.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed the damaging consequences of exposure to noise and WBV on the auditory response; In addition, the present study provided evidence of synergistic effects of combined exposure to noise and WBV on heavy equipment drivers.
 

---

Introduction: Workplaces often contain potential risks, such as exposure to toxic chemicals. Conducting a thorough health risk assessment helps employers recognize these dangers and implement necessary controls. In the 20th century, modern risk assessment frameworks began to be established with the rise of public health agencies.
Material and Methods: The present study is a narrative review. In order to obtain necessary information, Persian and English texts were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, SID and Magiran databases. Keywords such as “health risk assessment”, “chemicals” and “nanomaterials” were used in this study.
Results: Both quantitative and qualitative health risk assessments play critical roles in occupational health, with each method providing different levels of depth and accuracy depending on the situation. EPA Model, Monte-Carlo Simulation, Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) Models, Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA), Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), and Biologically Based Dose-Response (BBDR) Models, are among the most important quantitative methods for assessing the health risk of chemicals. COSHH Model, ICCT Model, ICMM Model, Australian Model, and Romanian Model, are the most important qualitative methods for health risk assessment of chemicals. In addition to the quantitative and qualitative methods, semi-quantitative methods like Singapore Model, LEC Method, and SEP Model, have also been proposed for assessing the health risk of chemicals. The preference for qualitative over quantitative methods in the risk assessment of activities involving nanomaterials stems from substantial uncertainties, limited data availability, and the unique and complex behaviors of nanomaterials in the workplaces.
Conclusion: Overall, the evolution of health risk assessment methods reflects a continuous drive towards greater accuracy, reliability, and relevance. As we continue to innovate and expand our knowledge, the field is well-positioned to address the complex and evolving landscape of chemical and material risks, ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. 

---

Introduction: Scientometrics is a research field that examines and analyzes scientific trends and patterns in various scientific journals. This study aims to analyze the content of research published between 2011 and 2022 in Persian scientific journals focusing on ergonomics, to identify trends and the scientific direction in the field. 
Material and Methods: This study collected all articles published from 2011 to 2022 in Persian journals, including “Occupational Health,” “Occupational Health and Safety,” “Occupational Health Engineering,” “Iranian Journal of Ergonomics,” “Occupational Medicine,” and “Occupational Hygiene and Health Promotion,” using a census method from the journals’ websites. 368 articles were categorized based on thematic codes developed by experts, and data were analyzed using Excel 2010.
Results: The theme “Physiological Status and Occupational Factors” had the highest frequency (17.65%), while “Ergonomics in Small Workplaces and Services” had the lowest (0%). Approximately 55% of the published studies were centered around themes including “Physiological Status and Occupational Factors,” “Ergonomics Methodology, Methods and Techniques,” “Inspection, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Performance,” and “Characteristics of Physiology and Cognitive Processes.” The research focus in ergonomics tends to prioritize methodology and innovation over the practical application, emphasizing industrial needs over those in services and agriculture, and favoring large workplaces over small or construction sites.
Conclusion: The thematic framework and publication patterns can serve as valuable sources of information for educational and research planning within the field of ergonomics for universities, research centers, and related organizations; it can contribute to the scientific advancement of the field and lead to its overall improvement.

---

Introduction: Mental health in the workplace is a critical factor influencing both employee well-being and organizational productivity. However, issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout can significantly impair job performance and overall quality of life. While numerous tools have been developed to assess mental health, many are not specifically designed or updated for work environments. As the complexity of the workplace continues to increase, accurate identification and evaluation of these conditions become increasingly essential. This study aims to review available tools and identify the most proper methods for screening and assessing mental health issues in the workplace.
Material and method:  A scoping review approach was used to identify mental health assessment tools applicable to workplace settings. The PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched using keywords related to mental health at work. Studies published after 2020 were included, focusing on tools developed and validated in work environments. Two authors independently extracted and reviewed data from selected studies. Tools were categorized based on their aims and specific characteristics.
Results: After screening, 12 studies were selected from a primary set of 746 papers.. The extracted tools were designed to assess stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. While most tools were developed for general settings or the public, some were appropriated to specific occupational groups, such as military personnel and healthcare workers. Burnout assessment tools were the most frequently referenced category.
Conclusion: Newer tools, such as the Work Stress Screener, Occupational Depression Inventory, and Burnout Assessment Tool, offer potential advantages over older instruments. Shorter, specialized tools are recommended to assess job anxiety effectively. Organizations should prioritize selecting tools that align with their employees' specific working conditions to promote mental health and productivity.

---

Introduction: Barriers play a critical role in mitigating risks and preventing catastrophic incidents in process industries. Human and Organizational Factors (HOFs) significantly influence the performance of safety barriers. This systematic review investigates existing frameworks and methods for assessing the impact of HOFs on safety barrier performance.
Material and Methods: A systematic search was conducted across the Scopus and Web of Science databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. The search aimed to identify studies presenting methodologies for evaluating the influence of HOFs on safety barrier performance in process industries. Data were subsequently extracted from the 16 included studies.
Results: The 16 studies included in this research presented various methods and frameworks examining the impact of HOFs on different types of safety barriers, including technical, operational, and human barriers, across industries such as oil and gas, chemical, and steel. Barrier and Operational Risk Analysis (BORA) emerged as the predominant framework among the studies. Research on operational and human barriers, which depend on human actions and procedures, frequently identified factors such as competence, training, communication, and supervision as key influencers of performance. In contrast, studies on technical barriers highlighted the importance of assessing factors such as maintenance management and procedural compliance.
Conclusion: This research highlights the critical role of HOFs in safety barrier performance within process industries. By systematically reviewing existing methodologies, the study identified their strengths and weaknesses. Findings underscore the need to account for uncertainties in expert judgments and the interplay between HOFs in evaluation models. The integration of fuzzy logic and Bayesian networks is proposed to enhance evaluation processes. Future research should prioritize the development of unified frameworks that address the limitations of current approaches while expanding their applicability across diverse industries. 
 

---

Introduction: Employee health is a critical predictor of organizational productivity. Accordingly, the purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of reverse mentoring and job crafting on mental and physical health, with engagement playing a mediating role.
Material and Methods: This research employed a descriptive survey design with an applied focus, conducted cross-sectionally using survey methods for data collection. The statistical population consisted of 330 employees from the Amirkabir Kashan Steel Company. A sample size of 180 was determined using Cochran’s formula, and a simple random sampling method was utilized. Data were collected via a standardized questionnaire comprising 63 questions. The questionnaire’s validity was confirmed through convergent and divergent validity tests, and its reliability was supported by Cronbach’s alpha, which exceeded 0.7 for all variables. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (SPSS) and inferential statistics (PLS).
Results: The findings confirmed all hypotheses and demonstrated the appropriate fit of the research model. Results revealed significant impacts of reverse mentoring on mental health (β = -0.482, t = 5.899) and physical health (β = 3.460, t = 4.430), as well as job crafting on mental health (β = -0.545, t = 6.193) and physical health (β = -0.756, t = 8.979) among employees and managers of the Amirkabir Kashan Steel Company. Moreover, engagement was found to mediate the effects of reverse mentoring on mental health (β = -0.510, t = 5.948) and physical health (β = -0.242, t = 3.799). Engagement also mediated the effects of job crafting on mental health (β = -0.345, t = 4.186) and physical health (β = -0.405, t = 4.751).
Conclusion: The results indicate that by implementing reverse mentoring and job crafting methods, managers can effectively control engagement levels, thereby maintaining organizational productivity and improving the health and well-being of employees. 
 

---

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. 
 

---

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. 

---

Introduction: Occupational diseases and workplace accidents have significant financial impacts on industries, communities, and nations each year. Risk assessment is considered an effective tool for managing these issues; however, many organizations fail to implement it successfully. This study explores this challenge from the perspective of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) officers.
Material and Methods: In this study, 30 Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with HSE officers. Inductive content analysis was used for analyzing interviews. After analyzing the interviews, the codes in the interviews were categorized. To ensure credibility and transferability, participant checking and consultations with experts in the field of risk assessment were conducted.
Results: After analyzing the interviews, seven main categories were identified, each comprising several sub-categories. The main categories included: Resources, Technical Knowledge, Legal and Regulatory Barriers, Cultural Issues, Absence of Risk-Based Thinking in the Organization, Individual Issues, and Lack of Interaction and Communication.
Conclusion: This study revealed that seven major barriers hinder the implementation of risk management systems and the execution of risk assessments in the industries of East Azerbaijan Province. These obstacles can directly affect the identification, analysis, and control of risks, ultimately reducing the effectiveness of occupational health and safety processes. Therefore, to conduct effective risk assessments and enhance safety levels in industrial environments, it is essential for policymakers, industry managers, and regulatory bodies to accurately identify and analyze these barriers and develop appropriate solutions to address them. Moreover, designing and implementing educational programs, restructuring management systems, and strengthening interactions between regulatory organizations and industries can contribute to improving risk assessment processes and safety management in this sector.

---

Introduction: Occupational noise is considered as an emerging risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Although previous studies have mainly examined the auditory outcomes of noise exposure and estimated the relative risk of diabetes, there is insufficient evidence to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Workers exposed to occupational noise. The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of type 2 diabetes in workers exposed to occupational noise.
Material and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the Web of Science, Scopus, Medline (PubMed) databases and Google Scholar engine were searched up to May 2025. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The pooled prevalence was estimated using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² index. The pooled prevalence was reported in subgroups based on the method of diabetes diagnosis and type of study.
Results: Out of 1,193 initially identified studies, 14 studies with a total of 94,975 participants were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of type 2 diabetes among individuals exposed to occupational noise was estimated at 5.91% (95% CI: 4.85%–6.98%). Significant statistical heterogeneity was observed among studies (I² = 98%, p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis indicated that the prevalence of diabetes in studies based on clinical or paraclinical diagnostics was higher than in studies based on self-report (7.31% and 3.73%, respectively). Moreover, the prevalence of diabetes in cross-sectional studies was higher than in cohort studies (6.45% and 5.67%, respectively).
Conclusion: The findings indicated a moderate prevalence of diabetes among people exposed to occupational noise. This prevalence was based on preliminary studies with an acceptable level of quality. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing metabolic consequences of occupational noise exposure alongside its well-known auditory effects.