Latent class analysis of occupational accidents patterns among Iranian industry workers.

Occupational accidents (OA) are among the main causes of disabilities and death in developing and developed countries. The aims of this study were to identify the subgroups of OA and assess the independent role of demographic characteristics on the membership of participants in each latent class. This cross-sectional study was performed on 290 workers between 2011 and 2017. Data gathering was done using the reports of accidents recorded in filed lawsuits. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16 and LCA was done using PROC LCA in SAS9.2. For latent classes were identified; namely "critical due to distractions and lack of supervision" (40.1%), "critical due to lack of safety knowledge" (27.9%), "critical due to fatigue and lack of supervision" (13.1%), and "catastrophic" (18.8%). After adjusting for other studied covariates, being illiterate significantly increased the odds of membership in "critical due to fatigue and lack of supervision" (OR = 4.05) and "catastrophic" (OR = 18.99) classes compared to "critical due to distractions and lack of supervision" class. Results of this study showed that the majority of workers fell under the latent class of critical due to distractions and lack of supervision. In addition, it should be noted that although a relatively small percentage of the workers are in the catastrophic class, the probability of occurring death is quite high in this class. Focusing on the education of workers and enhancing manager's supervision and employing educated workers could help in reducing severe and catastrophic OA.

Intensive Care Unit Nurses in Iran: Occupational Cognitive Failures and Job Content.

Background: Nurses in intensive care units (ICU) are under a lot of stress because of special conditions caused by the work environment and the high level of knowledge and skills required to work in these units, which can lead to cognitive failures. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between occupational cognitive failures (OCF) and job content (JC) in nurses in the ICU of Ardabil hospitals in 2020. Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2020. The study population included nurses working in the ICU of hospitals in Ardabil, from which 267 people who were eligible to enter the study were selected. OCF and JC questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software 23. Results: OCF with work records in the ICU, total work records, and work records in the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 units are significantly associated. OCF was inversely related to the JC subscales of skill discretion and decision authority. And directly related to other subscales of JC. Conclusions: Develop job ability, reduce repetitive tasks, create diversity in work, create opportunities for creativity, have the authority and freedom to make decisions, facilitate work with new technologies, have enough time to do work, have a friendly work environment with colleagues, support by the supervisor, improving posture, especially for the upper body, feeling job security can help to reduce the cognitive failure of nurses.

Mental Workload and Job Satisfaction in Healthcare Workers: The Moderating Role of Job Control.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the moderating role of job control in relation to mental workload and job satisfaction of healthcare workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 480 nurses, midwives, and administrative workers in four educational hospitals of Ardabil, Iran. Research tools were included demographic information questionnaire, NASA-TLX questionnaire, job description index (JDI) questionnaire and job control inquiry. Results: Compared with administrative workers, mental workload of nurses and midwives was significantly higher and likewise mental workload of nurses was significantly difference compared to midwives (P < 0.001). Nurses and midwives had substantially higher job satisfaction than administrative workers (P < 0.001). Also, nurses and midwives had higher job control than administrative workers (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Based on the designed model, the correlation between mental workload and job satisfaction was negative and significant (r = -0.22); which in the presence of job control, the relationship between the two variables of workload and job satisfaction slightly increased (r = -0.19, P < 0.001). These conditions were the same in the three job groups separately. Conclusion: Mental workload is inversely related to job satisfaction and job control. Job control plays an important role in improving working conditions in healthcare workers.

Exposure to BTEX concentration and the related health risk assessment in printing and copying centers.

This study was derived to investigation of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) concentrations in printing and copying centers (PCCs) in Ardabil city of Iran. Fifty-three PCCs were randomly selected from all the 136 number of PCCs and BTEX was sampled form their indoor air. The results showed that the concentration of BTEX in the indoor air PCCs is lower than the OELs (occupational exposure limit) in all cases. The obtained mean concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were 93.6±63.2, 150.6±99.2, 34.3±16.8, and 29.5±15.2 µg/m3 respectively. Type of printer, number of printing and copying device, and type of ventilation system had significant influence on the BTEX concentration. The mean inhalation lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) value for benzene and ethylbenzene in the indoor air of the PCCs with LaserJet and inkjet printers was 44.4 × 10-6 and 153.3 × 10-6, and 23.4×10-6 and 54.2× 10-6, respectively, which were higher than EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits. The hazard quotient (HQ) of benzene in the indoor air of the PCCs with inkjet printers was >1, which indicates that the non-carcinogenic risks associated with exposure to these compounds are considerable.

Ergonomics factors influencing school education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A literature review.

BACKGROUND: The school is one of the most critical social, educational, and training institutions and the main pillar of education in society. Education and, consequently, educational environments have the highest effect on the mentality, development, growth, welfare, concentration, performance, and learning efficiency of students. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to examine the effects of environmental ergonomics on the learning and cognition of pre-school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study was carried out as a review article using some keywords, namely "children", "learning", "pre-school", "COVID-19", "ergonomics", and "environmental factors". Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science were searched to find related articles. RESULTS: Factors like color, form, and layout of classrooms, lighting and ventilation, interior decoration, and educational equipment are effective in creating interest and motivation for students to learn. CONCLUSIONS: A review of these articles showed that the presence of ergonomics in educational spaces for children increases the quality of learning and reduces stress and anxiety, and by observing health protocols, a healthy and safe environment can be provided for students.

The health effects of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Quarantine is considered as an effective solution in the early stages of an epidemic. In the case of the coronavirus epidemic, quarantine was also recommended and implemented as a significant guideline to prevent the disease. However, despite the benefits of quarantine, there are also complications and problems. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the health effects of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study was conducted as a literature review through searching the databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct for papers published before July 2020. The research was conducted based on the keywords "Coronavirus," "COVID-19," and "quarantine." The references of the papers were also reviewed to find the ones not found in the databases. The guidelines published by reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used in this study. RESULTS: Although quarantine is applied as an important and primary solution in the outbreak of epidemics, in cases of pandemics, it may not be free of negative effects on individuals and public health. However, because of the need to reopen and restart social and economic activities, some changes should be made in lifestyles and work activities. Using cyberspace and telework can be helpful. As the findings showed, COVID-19 bubbles can be used to restore social communications. CONCLUSION: Using masks, avoiding unnecessary gatherings, complying with personal and social hygiene, and respecting social distancing can be valuable solutions that, if implemented properly, can decrease the rate of the disease significantly. It is also emphasized that quarantine is still necessary and important as the best solution for sick people and individuals who are suspected carriers of the disease.