Mohammad Javad Jafari, Hassan Assilian Mahabadi, Soheila Khodakarim, Gholam Heidar Teimori,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (12-2016)
Abstract
Introduction: Workers in open pit iron ore mines are exposed to heat stress which can cause health and safety problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heat stress among open-pit mine workers of iron ore based on Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index and also to investigate its relationship with physiological Strain.
Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 healthy miners, working in an open-pit mine, during summer season, in 2014. Physiological parameters, including core body temperatures and heart rate, were measured according to ISO 9886 standard and physiological strain indices, including Physiological Strain Index (PSI) and Physiological Strain Index based on Heart Rate (PSIHR), were calculated using the equation. Environmental variables as well as physiological parameters were simultaneously measured and recorded during work shift. WBGT index was calculated according to ISO 7243 and using the equation. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 22.
Result: The mean WBGT index was estimated 29.09oC for workers. “Drilling” and “factory and Krasher” units showed the highest and lowest WBGT index values of 31.06oC and 29.05oC, respectively. Workers occupational exposure to heat stress were higher than recommended thresholds based on WBGT index in all work units. A statistically significant correlation was found between WBGT index and physiological strain indices
(P value<0.001). The Pearson’s correlation coefficients were obtained 0.658 and 0.566 respectively, between WBGT index and values of PSI and PSIHR.
Conclusion: WBGT index showed a higher correlation with physiological strain Index; and level of heat stress in all work units of mine was higher than recommended thresholds. Thus, countermeasures should be adopted to control heat stress for the workers in this field.
Mohammad Javad Jafari, Hassan Assilian Mahabadi, Gholam Heydar Teimori, Mohsen Attar, Soheila Khodakarim,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Workers in open pit mines are frequently exposed to extreme heat stress during hot seasons. Several indices including Modified Discomfort Index (MDI) are used to evaluate the heat stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MDI and to investigate its relationship with ISO 7243 standard (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index, WBGT) and physiological parameters of workers in an open pit mine.
Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 healthy male miners in an open pit mine during summer season in 2014. Physiological parameters including body core and skin temperature, heart rate and blood pressure were measured according to ISO 9886 standard. All environmental and physiological parameters were simultaneously measured and recorded during a work shift. The MDI and WBGT indices were calculated using the related formula. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 22 software.
Result: According to the criteria of MDI, about 29 percent of workers had the average level, 68 percent of workers experienced the intense level and 2.5 percent suffered from the extreme level of exposure to the heat stress. No case of light level exposure to heat stress was obtained among workers. A significant correlation was found between MDI and ISO standard index (WBGT). Statistically significant correlation were also found between MDI and physiological parameters (P<0.001); in which the highest correlation coefficient was found for the heart rate variable (r=0.589).
Conclusion: Based on MDI, a high percentage of open pit mine workers were at risk of heat stress hazards. MDI had a moderate correlation with physiological parameters of the workers and showed a remarkable correlation with the WBGT.
Zahra Samadi, Milad Mansouri, Fatemeh Aghaei, Abolfazl Ghahramani,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Maintaining and improving organizational safety requires a strong safety culture. Following the occurrence of occupational incidents, proper registration, reporting, and investigation is a key requirement for safety culture to provide an appropriate learning culture. As a result, this study was carried out to assess the culture of occupational incident registration, reporting, and investigation in the province of west Azarbaijan’s industries.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on the culture of registration, reporting, and investigating occupational incident were collected using a 68-item questionnaire. A total of 420 employees from a number of construction and mine companies, as well as hospitals participated in this study.
Results: The results of study showed that the average total score for the culture of registration, reporting, and investigating occupational incidents was 3.08 (±0.38), with the factor of corrective action had the highest 3.17 (±0.72) and the reasons for lack of reporting had the lowest 2.90 (±0.54) scores. There was also a significant relationship between the average score of the culture of registration, reporting, and investigating occupational incidents with education, industries, and companies. Employees who attended training courses had a lower mean score for the culture of occupational incident’ registration, reporting, and investigation than those who did not take training courses. The mean score of the culture of registration, reporting, and investigating occupational incidents of the employees who had experienced an occupational accident was lower than those who had not experience occupational accidents in the past.
Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that corrective actions is necessary after the occurrence of occupational incidents. Attending training courses and having an occupational accident experience had no positive impact on promoting culture of registration, reporting, and investigating occupational incidents.
