Showing 9 results for Choobineh
A Choobineh , M Lahmi , M Hosseini , R Khani Jazani , H Shahnavaz ,
Volume 2, Issue 3 (5 2004)
Abstract
Carpet weaving is a high risk occupation for developing MSDs, as awkward working postures, repetitive movements, contact stress and long working time are common. The objectives of the present study, which was carried out at the Iranian hand-woven carpet industry, were determination of MSDs symptoms prevalence, workstation and working posture assessment, identification of major factors associated with MSDs symptoms in different body regions and developing guidelines for workstation design. In this study, 1439 randomly selected weavers from 9 Iranian provinces have participated. Data on personal details, workshop characteristics and MSDs symptoms was collected by questionnaire. Posture and workstation assessment were performed by observational technique. The results revealed that musculoskeletal symptoms prevalence rates in shoulders (47.8%), lower back (45.2%), wrists (38.2%), upper back (37.7%), neck (35.2%) and knees (34.6%) were high as compared to general Iranian population (for neck, back and large joints p<0.0001). Working postures were found to be deviated form neutral. Lack of proper seat, leg clearance, adjustment mechanisms, together with incorrect weaving height made weavers worked in constrained, harmful postures. The results were subjected to multivariate analyses in order to find the major factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. Several such factors were identified for symptoms of each body regions. Identified ergonomic factors were loom type, working posture, daily working time, seat type and type of knots. Based on the results, some general guidelines for weaving workstation design were developed. The prototype test showed that the new workstation was acceptable to subject tests and improved working posture.
A Choobineh , F Golbabaie ,
Volume 3, Issue 2 (3 2005)
Abstract
The use of biological safety cabinets (BSCs) in laboratories has greatly increased over the last few decades. BSCs are used in laboratories to protect both the scientists and the experiments from contamination by biological hazards during tissue culture procedures. The function of BSCs depends upon the HEPA filtration, the fan performance and the airflow patterns in the cabinet. To ensure BSCs proper functioning, regular performance evaluation tests are necessary. Failure to observe this may lead to direct and indirect losses. The objective of this study which was conducted at a biological research center was to evaluate the performance of seven present BSCs used in different laboratories. Based on BS 5726 (1992), two sets of measurements were performed: a) Determination bioaerosol concentration in the cabinet and b) inflow and downflow velocity measurements at the cabinet.
The results revealed that the lowest and the highest bioaerosol concentrations were 0.2 cfu/m3 and 1.33 cfu/m3, respectively. The lowest inflow mean velocity was found to be 0.33 m/s which was far less than the recommended value in BS 5726 (0.7 m/s). The highest inflow velocity was 1.1 m/s. The lowest downflow velocity equaled to 0.09 m/s which was below the recommended value (0.25- 0.5 m/s). The highest downflow measured was 0.55 m/s.
As a conclusion, in general, none of the BSCs evaluated in this study provided sterile atmosphere at the cabinets. In no case, airflow patterns met the recommended values proposed in BS 5726.
A Choobineh , M Hosseini ,
Volume 4, Issue 3 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: There is a close relationship between working posture and workstation design so that the postural problems appear to be largely caused by improperly designed workstation. There can be no more fundamental aspect of occupational ergonomics than the concern with the design of the workstation. There is general agreement that health, well-being and productivity of workers are strongly dependent on the success of workstation design. In ergonomic design of workstation, different factors should be taken into consideration, above all posture determinant factors. Regarding this, factorial design is a very useful methodology for identifying posture determinant factors. By this methodology, workstation variables which affect working posture can be identified. Then, optimum values of these variables are determined for working posture improvement. By this means, workstation design guidelines can be developed.
In this paper, which has been prepared with the aim of introducing factorial design in ergonomic studies, an example of factorial design application in developing workstation design guidelines for weaving operation is presented.
Materials and Methods: In a factorial design of 3×3, nine sets of experimental conditions were tested. The nine sets of experimental conditions consisted of different combinations of seats and weaving heights. Thirty professional weavers participated in the experiments and performed their normal weaving task in 9 experimental sessions. The effects of weaving height and seat type on postural variables were tested by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Repeated Measures.
Results: The results obtained in the nine settings were compared and the setting in which optimum working posture adapted was determined. Based on the results, weaving workstation guidelines were developed.
Conclusion: It is believed that the recommended workstation improves working posture and results in reduced postural stress on weavers’ bodies and, consequently, reduced prevalence of MSDs symptoms.
M Kamalinia, G Nasl Saraji, A Choobineh, M Hosseini,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (13 2009)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Application of modern technologies and changes in industries and work practices, particularly in assembly lines, have resulted in increased work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This has led to reduced occupational competence in both industrialized and developed countries. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs in the upper limbs, postural loading on the upper limbs (using the LUBA technoque), and ergonomic risk factors among assembly workers of an Iranian Telecommunications Manufacturing Company (ITMC) in Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional survey data were collected, using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) and LUBA Checklist, on 193 randomly selected registered assembly workers from 8 units of the assembly line of ITMC, Shiraz, Iran. The statistical tests used were as follws: 1.The qui-square test, to determine factors causing MSDs 2. One-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis to determine postural loading index 3. Logistic multiple regression analysis, to determine risk factors.
Results: Lower-back symptoms were found to be the most prevalent problem (67.9%.) among the workers. The findings also showed that the upper limb disorders were significantly associated with age, sex, job, daily working time, work evironment conditions, and twisting (P<0.01). Based on LUBA, a large majority of the workers (89.64%) had experienced high postural loading (PLI = 5). In addition, significant associations were found between postural loading and symptoms of upper limbs and units of work (P <0.05).
Conclusion: Based on these findings, MSDs are prevelent among Telecommunication Manufacturing Company in Shiraz, Iran. The most important factors likely to cause MSDs are postural loading on the limbs and unfavourable working conditions. Interventional programs aimig at preventing musculoskeletal problems among assembly line workers should focus on reducing postural loading.
H Rahimifard, N Hashemi Nejad, A.r Choobineh, H.r Haidari, H Tabatabaei,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10 2010)
Abstract
Background and Aim: In the raw furniture preparation workshops, in which the workers usually have an undesirable postures when at work, ergonomic assessment and the work environment improvement seem essential. Developing checklists and calculating ergonomic indices would be useful in this assessment. This study was conducted with the objectives of assessing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) risk factors and determining types of corrective measures in raw furniture preparation workshops.
Materials and methods: After conducting task analysis, 268 workers were assessed using an ergonomic checklist developed for the purpose and ergonomic indices were calculated. The Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence rate of MSDs among the workers. Data were analyzed using the t-test and the test of proportions.
Results: The highest prevalence was in the lower back (38.4%) and the knees 36.2%). Statistical analysis revealed that there were significant associations between MSDs and calculated ergonomic indices (p<0.001). In addition, calculation of OR revealed that ergonomic conditions were associated with MSDs in different body parts (OR=2.90-9.49, p<0.001). On the whole, the working conditions of 32.46% of the workers studied were poor from an ergonomic point of view.
Conclusion: The checklist developed was found to be an appropriate and low-cost tool for ergonomic assessment. The most important problems in the workshops were due to inappropriate general working conditions, inappropriate organization, and unsuitable work stations.
Alireza Choobineh, Ahmad Soltanzadeh, Seyed Hamidreza Tabatabaie, Mehdi Jahangiri,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (13 2012)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Shift work may induce adverse effects such as health problems on human life. The purpose of this study was to investigate shift work-related health problems and their associated risk factors among workers of petrochemical industries.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 21 petrochemical companies affiliated to the National Petrochemical Industries Company, Iran. The study population consisted of 3580 workers (44.2% shift- and 55.8% day-workers). Data were collected on demographic characteristics, shift schedules, and health problems using anonymous questionnaires. Statistical analyses and modeling were performed using SPSS version 11.5.
Results: The mean age of the day-workers with a job tenure of 8.87±7.22 years and of the shift-workers with a job tenure of 8.22±7.02 years was 34.56±8.19 and 33.15±7.73 years, respectively. Analysis of the data showed that prevalence of health problems among shift-workers was higher than that of day-workers. Furthermore, based on multiple linear regression analysis, it was revealed that, in addition to shift-working itself, other variables such as long working-hours, type of employment, age, job tenure, education, and job title also had a role in creating problems.
Conclusion: Although in the shift-working system the main risk factor associated with health problems among the workers is the work itself, there are also other risk factors, such as demographic and occupational variables.
Roghayeh Abedini, Alireza Choobineh, Jafar Hassanzadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (26 2013)
Abstract
Background and aims: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a serious problem among the nursing staff. Manual patient-handling tasks, such as lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients, are the major causes of WMSDs among nursing staff. The objective of the present study was risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders during patient transfers by the movement-and-assistance-of-hospital patient (MAPO) technique among hospital nursing staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), Shiraz, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 400 randomly selected nurses from 75 wards in 11 hospitals in Shiraz. Data were collected using demographic and Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaires and the MAPO index checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.
Results: The means of age and job tenure of the subjects were 30.76±6.44 and 6.92±5.75 years, respectively. The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 88.2%. The results of assessment by the MAPO index revealed that more than 83% of the subjects were at risk, 20.5% of them exposed to high risk. Further analysis of the data indicated that the musculoskeletal disorders occurrence was significantly associated with the MAPO index score (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders were found to be associated with the MAPO index. Therefore, MAPO is an appropriate tool for musculoskeletal disorders risk identification and assessment due to patient handling in the nursing personnel. In any attempt to improve the working conditions, patient transfer aids, environmental factors, and proper training should be taken into consideration.
Alireza Choobineh, Mandana Aghabeygi, Hamidreza Tabatabaei, Afshin Fallahpour, Fouzieh Javadpour, Ahmad Soltanzadeh,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (11-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: After conducting a comprehensive study on shift work systems in petrochemical companies and recommending appropriate shift schedules, some companies changed shift patterns. After a year, the present study was carried out at a petrochemical company which changed its shift pattern from 4-4-4 to 3-3-3. The objective of the study was evaluation of effectiveness of shift schedule change on shift workers’ health problems.
Materials and Methods: In this study, samples consisted of 195 shift workers of the present study and 44 shift workers from the previous study. Data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire, in which questions on demographic characteristics, health problems and workers’ opinions about shift pattern change were included. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 11.5.
Results: The results showed that prevalence of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal problems were not statistically different between the two groups (p>0.05), but prevalence of some psychological disorders were lower in the present study subjects as compared to the individuals of the previous study (p<0.01). The results revealed that from the viewpoint of shift workers new shift pattern improved quality and quantity of sleep. The findings showed that 76.8% of the subjects evaluated the new shift schedule to be better than the previous one.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, changing the shift pattern from 4-4-4 to 3-3-3 resulted in reduction of prevalence of psychological problems. Therefore, the change implemented in the shift pattern was useful.
Nasser Hashemi Nezhad, Alireza Choobineh, Ali Akbar Haghdoust, Mostafa Mohammadian,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (1-2014)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Measuring the hand's grip strength and comparing it with its normative data is a valid method for detecting intensity of the numerous damages of hand. In addition, co mparing grip strength of people in different regions can reveal hidden facts resulting from genetic and environmental factors . Therefore , the present study was carried out with the aim of comparing grip strengths and three types of pinch (tip, key and palmar) strengths of healthy people living in five Iranian cities and determining normative data of grip strengths of citizens of these cities.
Materials and Methods: This was an applied cross-sectional study. The study population included 1008 healthy adults (526 males and 482 females) from the Fars (Persian) ethnic populations in five cities of Iran ( Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz , Kerman and Yazd ). The American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) recommendations were followed to establish normative data of grip and pinch strengths . Jamar dynamometer and Seahan pinch gauge were used to measure grip and pinch strengths. In addition, the effect of body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric variables (hand length, height and weight) on grip strengths was assesed.
Results: In the present study, no significant differences were found between grip and pinch strengths of adults in the five cities. From among the parameters studied , height and hand length had the most influence on the grip strengths .
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that populations of any particlular ethnic group have similar grip strength despite living in different geographical areas. The normative data of grip strength obtained in this study are important for ergonomists helping them to optimize work programs and designing tools, as well as for therapists helping them to reach the goals of treatment, assessing the body response to medical treatment, and detecting good function of the upper extremities .
