Journal of Health and Safety at Work

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Introduction: Emergency technicians face workplace violence and increasing occupational stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a virtual self-management training in communication skills on occupational stress and the degree of aggression among emergency technicians.
Material and Methods: This study involved 60 emergency technicians randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. They completed surveys on workplace violence and occupational stress. The intervention group received six weeks of a virtual self-management training in communication skills. Data was collected after two months and analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The findings showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the control group (110.08±11.92) and the two intervention groups (114.39±11.25) in terms of the average occupational stress before the intervention; The average job stress score between the intervention (94.0±12,70) and control (98.81± 20,81) groups significantly differed following the intervention (p=0.034); After the intervention, the intervention group had lower verbal and physical abuse frequencies compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The virtual self-management communication training demonstrated the potential to reduce occupational stress but did not significantly decrease the violence towards the emergency technicians. A comprehensive training program addressing violence factors and communication techniques, implemented over a longer period, is recommended.

 

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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.

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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.

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Introduction: Heat stress is a common environmental risk factor for many occupations, which can lead to increased fatigue during cognitive tasks. Fatigue is a multifactorial phenomenon that is affected by various environmental, physiological, and psychological factors, and can affect biomechanical, physiological, and psychological components. This study focuses on the impact of environmental, individual, and physiological factors, and burnout on general fatigue.
Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among 189 employees of the Iran Oil Company at both indoor and outdoor workstations. Heat stress was measured using the (WBGT) index, and thermal strain risk was evaluated. Variables such as skin temperature, ear temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate were also monitored. To assess general fatigue and occupational burnout, (MFI) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were completed by the employees.
Results: The results revealed that 79.9% of the employees were exposed to heat stress, with repair workers experiencing the highest levels of emotional exhaustion (23/38), depersonalization (15/34), general fatigue (10/00), and physical fatigue (9/05).  Statistically significant relationships were found between heat stress and fatigue and decreased motivation, between all components of burnout and general fatigue, and between core temperature, blood pressure, and general fatigue (p<0.05). Notably, demographic factors such as marital status, smoking status, and education level did not significantly influence fatigue scores.
Conclusion: Fatigue is strongly associated with heat stress, physiological variables such as body temperature and blood pressure, burnout, personal habits such as sleep duration and exercise, and the type of job. These findings suggest that in hot work environments, monitoring physiological variables and environmental factors can help identify and address fatigue issues.

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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.

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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.

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Introduction: Work-family conflict can lead to negative outcomes such as psychological distress in all employees, especially female nurses, as they face unique occupational challenges. However, the specific aspect of work-family conflict that contributes most significantly to psychological distress, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved, has not been thoroughly examined. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-family conflict dimensions and psychological distress.
Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2022 on 277 female nurses employed at public hospitals in Bushehr Province. The data collection tool consisted of work–family conflict and psychological distress questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS v. 19 and PLS Graph v. 3, with path analysis.
Results: The direct effects of two dimensions of work-family conflict, namely “the interference of work with personal and family life” and “the interference of family life with work,” on psychological distress were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, the mediating effect of the “work interference with personal and family life” on the relationship between “insufficient facilities and support” and psychological distress was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mediating effect of the “family dissatisfaction” in the relationship between “the interference of work with personal and family life” and psychological distress was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: The interference of work with personal and family life, and the interference of family life with work, were identified as significant factors that directly affect psychological distress. In addition, “insufficient support and facilities” can increase “the interference of work with personal and family life”, thereby leading to greater psychological distress among female nurses. Planning to enhance support measures in both the workplace and personal life can help reduce the negative consequences of work-family conflict, such as psychological distress in female nurses. 

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Introduction: Climate change is a major global challenge, strongly influencing the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index and heat stress among steel industry workers. This study evaluates the impact of geographical location and climate change on occupational heat stress exposure in Iran’s steel sector.
Material and Methods: This qualitative-analytical study used data from the SABA system and the Iranian Occupational Heat Stress Atlas. Information on steel industries, their distribution, and production capacities across eight climate zones was extracted. WBGT measurements were collected in collaboration with industrial units in different zones. Data analysis was performed using ArcGIS and SPSS. The effects of climate change on heat stress were assessed for three future horizons: 2040, 2060, and 2080.
Results: The findings revealed that climate zones G1 (eastern, southeastern, and desert regions) and G4 (Persian Gulf coastal provinces including Hormozgan, Bushehr, Fars, and Khuzestan), which host the highest steel production capacities, are exposed to the highest levels of heat stress (WBGT index) and water resource scarcity. WBGT values in zones G4 and G6 (Gilan province) exceeded permissible limits, whereas zones G2 (including North Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Hamedan, Markazi, and Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari), G5 (Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Lorestan), and G7 (Ilam, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad) showed the lowest WBGT levels. Considering projected temperature increases in the three future horizons and the acceptable correlation coefficient (0.40) between annual daytime temperature and WBGT index per climate zone, predicted temperature changes may lead to increased WBGT levels, particularly in zones G3, G6, and G8.
Conclusion: Given climate projections and the spatial distribution of steel industries, it is essential to develop climate-responsive policies, implement sustainable water resource management, and reconsider the siting of steel production units. These measures can enhance the resilience of Iran’s steel industry against future climate change and mitigate occupational health and environmental risks.