Comparison of physical workload and physical work capacity among municipality cleaners in Shiraz to determine number of workers needed to counterbalance physical workload.

BACKGROUND: Assessing physical workload is the most important step in deciding whether a workload is high and adopting appropriate control strategies to reduce physical workload. This study aimed to compare physical workload and Physical Work Capacity (PWC) among municipality cleaners in Shiraz to determine the number of workers needed to counterbalance physical workload. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 97 municipality cleaners in Shiraz. In the first step, the participants' maximum aerobic capacity (VO2-max) was estimated in the laboratory using an ergometer bicycle and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) protocol, based on which the PWC was estimated. Secondly, energy expenditure and heart rate during work were measured using a POLAR400 device in an eight-hour shift. At the end of the work shift, the workers' perceived physical exertion was assessed using a Rating of Perceived Exertion 6-20 (RPE 6-20) Borg scale. In the final stage, the physical workload was assessed based on the results of the two steps. RESULTS: The mean VO2-max of the cleaners and PWC were estimated to be 2.6 ± 0.66 l min-1 and 4.3 ± 1.088 kcal min-1, respectively. The average energy consumed during work was 4.122 ± 1.016 kcal min-1. The overall results of this study showed that physical workload was greater than PWC in 46% of the municipality cleaners. In addition, it was found that 12.45% workforce was required to be added to the street cleaners of Shiraz municipality to reduce the physiological workload on the employed workforce. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the high level of physical activity in a significant proportion of the cleaners, measures such as increasing the workforce are suggested.

Does food insecurity affect musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, and productivity of municipality cleaners? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Municipality cleaners are exposed to food insecurity, Musculoskeletal Symptoms (MSs), and fatigue. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of food insecurity on MSs, fatigue, and productivity among municipality cleaners. METHODS: This study was conducted on 399 Iranian male municipality cleaners with at least one year of working experience. The data were gathered via a demographic/occupational questionnaire, the Persian version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (P-HFIAS), the Persian version of Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (P-NMQ), the Persian version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (P-MAF), and the Persian version of Health and Work Questionnaire (P-HWQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple logistic regression (Forward Wald), and multiple linear regression (Stepwise). RESULTS: The findings revealed that 42.6%of the municipality cleaners were in the 'severely food insecure' category. The highest prevalence of MSs in the past week were related to knees (35.8%), lower back (35.1%), and ankles/feet (28.8%). Based on the results, the chance of MSs in the shoulders (OR = 1.66) and ankles/feet (1.60) regions, and MSs at least in one body region (OR = 1.47) was higher in the individuals with severe food insecurity than the others. Considering the P-MAF, food insecurity was associated with the 'degree and severity', 'distress that it causes', and 'timing of fatigue' subscales and 'total fatigue'. Considering the P-HWQ, food insecurity was associated with 'productivity', 'other's assessment', 'concentration/focus', 'supervisor relations', 'non-work satisfaction', and 'impatience/irritability' subscales. CONCLUSION: The study revealed an association between food insecurity and MSs in some body regions and fatigue and productivity subscales among the municipality cleaners. Nutritional and ergonomic programs are recommended to reduce municipality cleaners' food insecurity, MSs, and fatigue and enhance their productivity.

Strategies for controlling violence against health care workers: Application of fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and fuzzy additive ratio assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify and prioritize control measures of violence against health care workers (HWs) using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy additive ratio assessment (ARAS-F). BACKGROUND: Occupational violence is a pervasive problem in health care centres. Reducing violence against staff is one of the challenges for health care managers. METHOD: At the first stage, the most common criteria and control options for violence against HWs were identified and extracted using a review of previous studies. At the next stage, criteria for selection of control measures were prioritized using the FAHP. Finally, control measures of workplace violence were prioritized using the ARAS-F method. RESULTS: Results of the FAHP indicated that safety and efficiency were the most important criteria. Results of the ARAS-F also revealed that 'increasing number of security personnel' and 'training staff' were the best recommendations for controlling violence against HWs. CONCLUSION: Based on expert's opinions, administrative measures are the optimal ways to control violence at health centres; therefore, it is suggested that violence control programmes should be more focused on administrative measures. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: These results could assist nursing management to take best strategies for controlling occupational violence based on multi-criteria decision-making methods.