Validating the effectiveness of a self-report tool to predict unsafe behavior of industrial workers: a QEEG analysis.

Objectives. Unsafe behavior (UB) is defined as the likelihood of intentionally or unintentionally deviating from pre-defined plans. This study aims to investigate the validation of a self-report tool for measuring workers' cognitive-based UB using quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG). Methods. The cognitive-based unsafe behavior questionnaire (CUBQ) was completed by 632 front-line workers in a manufacturing industry to identify differences in the backgrounds of the subjects regarding UBs. Two groups were then selected as extreme groups and QEEG was conducted based on the international 10-20 electrode placement. Results. The mean values of absolute power (AP), alpha/beta ratio (ABR) and alpha/gamma ratio (AGR) from brain oscillations in different regions of the cortex were significantly different between the studied groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, these values were found to be significantly correlated with slips, lapses and mistakes, as measured by certain scales of the CUBQ (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The findings of this study indicated differences in brain oscillation activities among industrial workers with different UB backgrounds. These results confirm the effectiveness of CUBQ as a proactive tool for safety practitioners to predict industrial workers' UBs.

Looking beyond the screen: A systematic review of safety in control rooms.

As a complex socio-technical system, the Control Room (CR) is central to many industries, such as process, aviation, transportation, and mining. CRs' complexity impacts the safety, operational, engineering, regulatory, and financial performance of the system. In this study, a search strategy was defined and applied to three reputable databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. The search results underwent a two-stage screening process based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were investigating the safety in the CR, full-text availability, and writing in English. The exclusion criteria were unrelated to the safety in the CR, non-English Language, and non-original studies. A total of 59 studies were included in the analysis. The included articles were systematically reviewed from the Human Reliability Assessment (HRA) and Human Factors Engineering (HFE) perspectives. Since these records covered various subjects related to human reliability and human factor aspects, a categorization step was added to the study process. In this step, all included studies were categorized based on their subjects. A total of 7 categories were identified, including reliability (17 documents), safety performance (13 documents), decision-support systems (7 documents), fire safety (2 documents), communication/teamwork (11 documents), situation awareness (4 documents), and others (5 documents). Finally, the included studies in each category were analyzed and discussed. The results of this study help identify different aspects of safety in the control room and plan to improve their safety weaknesses, which ultimately leads to an increase in the efficiency of employees and various industries.

Development and Validation of a Resilience Skills Questionnaire for Health Sector Professionals Based on Social Cognitive Theory.

Good resilience skills support effective and timely adjustment to demanding situations in the workplace. Existing tools are insufficient to develop and evaluate workplace interventions to improve employee's resilience skills. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Resilience Skills Questionnaire (RSQ) using the key constructs of social cognitive theory-self-efficacy, self-regulation, and social support-as a theoretical framework. Following DeVellis' guidelines for scale development, first an expert panel of thirteen professors was recruited to support the item development stages and determine content validity. At this stage, the initial pool of 38 items was reduced to 25 items and CVR and CVI were calculated as 0.92 and 0.93, respectively, indicating good content validity. A second panel of ten health professionals confirmed face validity. An online survey comprised of the 25 developed items was then completed by 336 health professionals working in urban healthcare centers in Shiraz, Iran, in November 2021. The data were used to assess the psychometrics of the questionnaire according to its hypothesized three-dimensional structure. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded a final model of seventeen items in three dimensions, self-efficacy (six items), social support (six items), and self-regulation (five items), with good psychometric properties (χ2/df = 2.44 (p < 0.001), RMSEA = 0.06, GFI = 0.92, AGFI = 0.90, IFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.93). All standardized factor loadings were significant (p < 0.001). Internal consistency, as measured by Cronbach's alpha, was very good: RSQ (0.90), self-efficacy (0.86), social support (0.83), and self-regulation (0.86). Based on these results, the RSQ can be used as a standard and valid measure to develop and evaluate the effect of educational intervention programs to improve resilience skills and reduce job stress.

A systematic review of passing fit testing of the masks and respirators used during the COVID-19 pandemic: Part 1-quantitative fit test procedures.

BACKGROUND: During respiratory infection pandemics, masks and respirators are highly sought after, especially for frontline healthcare workers and patients carrying respiratory viruses. The objective of this study was to systematically review fit test pass rates and identify factors influencing the fitting characteristics. METHODS: Potentially relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct during the COVID-19 pandemic from February 5, 2020, to March 21, 2023. The search strategy using the following keywords was conducted: Quantitative Fit Test, Condensation Nuclei Counter, Controlled Negative Pressure, PortaCount, Sibata, Accufit, Fit, Seal, Mask, Respirator, Respiratory Protective Device, Respiratory Protective Equipment, Protective Device, Personal Protective Equipment, COVID-19, Coronavirus, and SARS-CoV-2. The quality of the included studies was also assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: A total of 137 articles met the eligibility criteria. Fifty articles had a quality score of less than 7 (good quality). A total of 21 studies had a fit test pass rate of less than 50%. 26 studies on disposable respirators and 11 studies on reusable respirators had an FF of less than 50 and less than 200, respectively. The most influential factors include respirator brand/model, style, gender, ethnicity, facial dimensions, facial hair, age, reuse, extensive movement, seal check, comfort and usability assessment, and training. CONCLUSION: 37.36% of the disposable respirator studies and 43% of the reusable respirator studies did not report fit test results. 67.86% of the disposable respirator studies had a fit test pass rate greater than 50%, and 35.84% of these studies had an FF greater than 100. Also, 85.71% of the reusable respirator studies had a fit test pass rate greater than 50%, and 52.77% of these studies had an FF greater than 1000. Overall, the fit test pass rate was relatively acceptable. Newly developed or modified respirators must undergo reliable testing to ensure the protection of HCWs. Subject and respirator characteristics should be considered when implementing fit testing protocols. An optimal fit test panel should be developed prior to respirator design, certification, procurement decisions, and selection procedures.

Developing a model for predicting safety performance of nurses based on psychosocial safety climate and role of job demands and resources, job satisfaction, and emotional exhaustion as mediators.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to develop a model for predicting the safety performance of nurses based on psychosocial safety climate (PSC) and the role of job demands and resources, job satisfaction, and emotional exhaustion as mediators. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out among nurses in Iran. Data were collected using the Psychosocial Safety Climate questionnaire, Neal and Griffin's Safety Performance Scale, the Management Standards Indicator Tool, the Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, the Michigan Organizational Assessment Job Satisfaction subscale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: Surveys were distributed to 340 nurses provided informed consent. After removing incplete surveys, data from 280 partipants were analysed. The completion rate was 82.35%. The SEM results indicated that PSC can directly and indirectly predict nurses' safety performance. The final model showed an acceptable goodness of fit (p = 0.023). It indicated that PSC, job demands, and job satisfaction were directly related to safety performance, and also that PSC, emotional exhaustion, job resources, and job demands were all indirectly related to safety performance. Also, PSC had a significant relationship with all mediator variables, and job demands had direct effect on emotional exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: The current study presented a new model for predicting safety performance in nurses in which PSC, both directly and indirectly, plays an important role. In addition to paying attention to the physical aspects of the workplace, healthcare organizations should also take into account PSC to improve safety. Next steps in reducing safety issues in nursing is to develop intervention studies using this new evidence-based model as a framework.

The study protocol for the randomized controlled trial of the effects of a theory-based intervention on resilience, social capital, psychological wellbeing, and health-promoting lifestyle in healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: The workplace has been identified as a key determinant of health status. There is evidence of innumerable health problems among employees, particularly healthcare workers. Against this background, a holistic-systemic approach together with a good theoretical framework is required to reflect on this issue, and to support the design of effective interventions to promote the health and wellbeing of the given population. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving resilience, social capital, psychological wellbeing, and health-promoting lifestyle in healthcare workers, utilizing the Social Cognitive Theory integrated into the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial will be performed on a large sample of the employees working in two healthcare centers in the city of Shiraz, Iran. The study will proceed with the healthcare workers of one city being given the educational intervention and the healthcare workers of the other city serving as a control group. Using a census method, all healthcare workers in the two cities will be informed of the trial and its purpose, and then invitations to join the study will be issued. The minimum sample size required has been calculated as 66 individuals in each healthcare centers. Recruitment to the trial will by systematic random sampling of eligible employees who submit an expression of interest in joining the trial, and subsequently give informed consent. Data will be collected through a self-administered survey instrument at three stages: at baseline, and both immediately and three months after the intervention. The experimental group members should participate in at least eight of the ten weekly educational sessions of the intervention and complete the surveys in the three stages. There is no educational intervention for the control group, and they simply experience some routine programs, and complete the surveys at the same three timepoints. DISCUSSION: The findings will provide evidence for the possible effectiveness of a theory-based educational intervention to improve resilience, social capital, psychological wellbeing, and health-promoting lifestyle among healthcare workers. If the educational intervention is found to be effective, then its protocol will be exploited in other organizations to boost resilience. Trial registration IRCT20220509054790N1.

Adaptation of the standardized plant analysis-risk human reliability analysis technique for the surgical setting: expert judgment approach.

Objectives. Application of human reliability analysis (HRA) techniques originally developed for industrial settings to the healthcare sector may be controversial in terms of reliability and methodological level. The aim of the present study was to adapt a standardized plant analysis risk-human reliability analysis (SPAR-H) technique for application in surgical settings through suggesting more context-specific definitions for performance shaping factors (PSFs), designing precise levels and elicitation of multipliers through a domain expert judgment approach. Methods. A ratio magnitude estimation approach was used for carrying out domain expert judgment for multiplier elicitation. Experts from four teaching hospitals participated in the present study. Intra-class correlation was used in order to examine the inter-rater reliability of the estimated multipliers for each level of diagnosis and action task type. Results. Available time, threat stress, task complexity, experience/training, procedures, working conditions, human-machine interface, fatigue and teamwork were the nine suggested PSFs for the adapted SPAR-H technique. Conclusion. Context-specific definitions of the PSFs can enhance the reliability of human error probability assessments. Eventually, it could be concluded that multiplier elicitation through domain expert judgment is an efficient approach for adaptation of the HRA techniques for application in specific contexts.

Development of an Ergonomic, Portable, Climber-Propelled Date Tree Climbing Device.

In the most of main date fruit producer regions, including Iran, date palm crown access operation is still performed traditionally. The date plantation workers need to climb date trees. This may cause an unsafe condition, which increases the risk of fall from height. It is also associated with ergonomic and health problems. The present study aimed to develop a date tree climber device (DTCD) covering all aspects of safety, ergonomics and efficiency. A primary model of the DTCD was structured and modified based on a review of existing devices, a field investigation and an unstructured interview with 20 farmworkers. Participants rated their comfort, perceived pain and discomfort as well as exertion levels when using the DTCD compared to a traditional device (Parband). In total, eight key elements were suggested for the desired device. More than 60% of the participants reported that the DTCD was comfortable/very comfortable compared to Parband. Additionally, DTCD could significantly reduce the pain and discomfort of the back (p < .001), knees (p = .001) and Ankles/feet (p = .01). However, no significant difference was found between devices when the physical exertion was compared through Borg's RPE scale and heart rate analysis. The results of regression analysis showed that the DTCD users perceived lower exertion as the body weight increased (ß = -0.18, p = .013). The signs of musculoskeletal disorders, pain and discomfort were strongly reduced among DTCD users and safety aspects improved, generally by reducing discomfort and physical exertion.

Employing a three-stage procedure to develop a sizing system for medical gloves.

There is a need for gloves that are designed based on the dimensions of the hand of each society because the proper size is a key factor that affects performance. This study aimed to design and develop a glove-sizing system for Iranian healthcare workers using anthropometric data. This study was conducted on a sample including 540 healthcare workers across Iran classified by ethnicity and gender. Thirty-three dimensions were measured as the anthropometric data. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and clustering analysis were used to create classifications for glove sizes. The most effective dimensions in defining the hand sizes of Iranian healthcare workers were middle finger length and the handbreadth. The designed six-size system covered 94% of the sample. This system can be used to design suitable gloves for Iranians. The sizes presented can be used to compare size differences in different communities. Practitioner summary: In this study, an attempt was made to design a sizing system with maximum coverage for medical gloves using statistical analysis methods and hand anthropometric dimensions of Iranian healthcare workers. The method of this study can be used in other communities as well for improving sizing systems.Abbreviations: PCA: Principal Component Analysis; GSS: Glove Sizing Systems; TEM: Technical error of measurement; R: Reliability coefficient; KMO: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin; PC1: The first principal component; PC2: The second principal component; FCMC: Fuzzy c-means clustering; XS: Very small; S: Small; SM: Medium small; LM: Medium large; L: Large; Xl: Very large.

Assessment of Masks Used by Healthcare Workers: Development and Validation of a Mask Qualitative Assessment Tool (MQAT).

Background: Respiratory masks can provide healthcare workers with protection from biological hazards when they have good performance. There is a direct relationship between the visual specifications of a mask and its efficacy; thus, the aim of this study was to develop tools for qualitative assessment of the performance of masks used by healthcare workers. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used to develop a qualitative assessment tool for medical face masks (MFM) and particle filtering half masks (PFHM). The development of domains and items was undertaken using observation and interviews, the opinions of an expert panel, and a review of texts and international standards. The second phase evaluated the psychometric properties of tools. Finally, the validated Mask Qualitative Assessment Tools (MQAT) were used to assess six samples from 10 brands of the two types of masks. Results: MQAT-MFM and MQAT-PHFM shared 42 items across seven domains: "cleanliness," "design," "marking, labeling and packaging," "mask layers," "mask strap," "materials and construction," and "nose clip." MQAT-MFM included one additional item. MQAT-PHFM included another nine items associated with an eighth "Practical Performance" domain, and the valve version had another additional "Exhalation Valve" domain and six items. The evaluation indicated 80% compliance for MFM and 71% compliance for PFHM. "Marking, labeling and packaging" and "Layers" were associated with the least compliance in both types of masks and should be checked carefully for defining mask quality. Conclusion: MQAT can be used for immediate screening and initial assessment of MFM and PHFM through appearance, simple tools, and visual inspection.

A Medical Nebulizer as a Substitute for the OSHA-Approved Nebulizer for Qualitative Fit Testing of Respirators During the Respiratory Infectious Pandemics: An Experimental Feasibility Study.

OBJECTIVE: The qualitative fit testing procedure would be challenging due to severe shortages, high cost, and unavailability of commercial fit test kits in the marketplaces during pandemics of respiratory infectious diseases. Assessment of alternatives for commercial fit test kits to be prepared for emergencies is critically required. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of an alternative of the Accumed NF60 nebulizer for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-approved Allegro nebulizer. METHODS: Thirty-two participants were randomly allocated to 6 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). They were qualitatively fit tested by both manual Allegro and automated Accumed NF60 nebulizers. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the Allegro and Accumed NF60 nebulizers by passing rates. The odds for passing fit testing using the Accumed NF60 nebulizer was similar to that of the Allegro one (odds ratio=1.0, 95% confidence interval [0.58-1.74]). CONCLUSIONS: The Accumed NF60 nebulizer could be used as a cost-benefit substitute for the standard fit test nebulizers in the pandemic situation where there is a shortage and difficulty of access. It is more convenient, decreases the time investment, and reduces the contact stress in the operators' hands as it does not require squeezing the nebulizer bulb frequently. The test solutions' preparation and fit testing procedures on many personnel are more straightforward, efficient, and hygienic than the Allegro one.

Applying analytic hierarchy process and failure likelihood index method (AHP-FLIM) to assess human reliability in critical and sensitive jobs of a petrochemical industry.

Background: Given that human error is the most important cause of industrial accidents, it seems necessary to identify and analyze human error, assess human reliability, and reduce errors or prevent unfortunate consequences. This study aimed to evaluate human reliability in a petrochemical industry. Methods: Critical and sensitive jobs were identified by interviewing the staff and supervisors of the industry. Then, the most important human errors and Performance Shaping Factors (PSFs) in each job group were identified. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), PSFs and human errors were weighed and prioritized. Next, the Failure Likelihood Index (FLI) was calculated for each of the human errors identified in the selected tasks. Finally, by converting this index to human error, human reliability was calculated. Results: Firefighters, site men, and mechanical repairmen had the highest risk and were selected to evaluate human reliability by the AHP-FLI method. Accordingly, six PSFs (training, experience, instruction, stress, task complexity, and environmental conditions) were identified as the most important factors in human error occurrence. The average human error probability was calculated as 0.019, 0.018, and 0.013 in the three job groups of firefighters, site men, and mechanical repairmen, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the AHP-FLI method could be a suitable method for assessing human reliability in the petrochemical industry since it could measure the impact of different PSFs on the probability of human error.

Improvement of performance and function in respiratory protection equipment using nanomaterials.

Nanotechnology has become one of key areas for the current development and research. Nanotechnology focuses on matter at the nanoscale and is capable of using different approaches to produce nanomaterials, structures, devices, and systems. One of the concerns that have to be addressed is the adverse effects of exposure to pathogens and pollutants in different workplaces and environments. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is one of the personal protective equipment (PPE) utilized to reduce the risk of exposure to environmental or occupational respiratory hazards. Thus, various studies have been conducted for improving the functional properties of sorbents or filters in different kinds of RPE. Different categories of nanomaterials have been reported as effective agents for achieving this goal. The application of these nanomaterials in mask layers or respirators' cartridge could significantly increase the filtration efficiency, breathing comfort, and antibacterial/antiviral properties of the masks and respirators. The present study aimed to comprehensively review the nanomaterials used in different types of face RPE with emphasis on various properties of the utilized nanomaterials. The study also aimed to show an applied perspective for future research on this important subject.

Investigation of Artery Wall Elasticity Effect on the Prediction of Atherosclerosis by Hemodynamic Factors.

Atherosclerosis is a vascular disease in which some parts of the artery undergo stenosis due to the aggregation of fat. The causes and location of stenosis can be determined using fluid mechanics and parameters such as pressure, effective wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index (OSI). The present study, for the first time, numerically investigates the pulsatile blood flow inside arteries with elastic and rigid walls in simple and double stenosis (80% stenosis) by using k-ω model and physiological pulse. The reason for applying the k-ω model in the present study was to provide more consistent results with clinical results to improve the accuracy in estimating atherosclerosis disease. The investigation of the time-mean wall shear stress indicated that for double stenosis, the difference between the results of the rigid and elastic artery assumptions is greater than the case of simple stenosis, so that this difference percent can be up to 2.5 times. In addition, the results showed that the pressure drop for the first stenosis is greater than the second stenosis, by 810 Pa (for solid artery) and 540 Pa (for elastic artery). The results also revealed that for simple stenosis, the length of the diseases prone zone in the elastic artery is 21% longer than the rigid one which this figure for double stenosis is calculated to be about 40%. Comparing the results of the simple stenosis with double, one affirmed that the artery wall thickness growth for case of double stenosis is greater than that of the single one.

The global incidence and associated factors of surgical gloves perforation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgeon's hands are exposed to a range of chemical and physical stressors that influence the integrity of gloves. Thus, glove perforation facilitates pathogen transmission through the holes. Numerous studies have shown that glove perforation is of great importance, but there is still no complete consensus. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the safety conditions of surgical gloves based on the incidence of glove perforation among surgical teams. METHODS: A literature review was conducted by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ISI, and ProQuest databases. The incidence of glove perforation was reviewed in eight categories. A total of 580 articles were found in the initial search. RESULTS: 109 articles containing 130 datasets were analyzed. The overall incidence of glove perforation was 14.44 %. Surgeons had the highest incidence of glove perforation (23.09 %). An increase in the duration of surgery increased the odds of perforation. It was found that 68.58% of the glove perforations were not identified by practitioners. CONCLUSION: Despite major advances in the design of surgical gloves, the issue of safety and integrity of gloves has not improved. Due to the high incidence of surgical glove perforations, most of which had not been identified, it is imperative to consider strategies to minimize the incidence of perforation. The results of the present study can be used to integrate information related to the rate of perforation of surgical gloves in different surgeries.

Effect of Extended Lipid Core on the Hemodynamic Parameters: A Fluid-Structure Interaction Approach.

Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in the developed countries. A majority of myocardial infarctions are caused by the rupture of coronary artery plaques. In order to achieve a better understanding of the effect of the extension of the lipid core into the artery wall on the change of flow field and its effect on plaque vulnerability, we have studied the hemodynamic parameters by utilizing a finite element method and taking into account the fluid-structure interaction (FSI). Four groups of stenosis models with different sizes of lipid core were used in the study. The fully developed pulsatile velocity profile of the right coronary artery was used as the inlet boundary condition, and the pressure pulse was applied as the outlet boundary condition. The non-Newtonian Carreau model was used to simulate the non-Newtonian behavior of blood. Results indicate that the extension of the lipid core into the artery wall influences the flow field; subsequently, creates favorable conditions for additional development of the lipid core which can lead to a higher risk of plaque rupture.

Quantification of the impact of factors affecting the technical performance of operating room personnel: Expert judgment approach.

Incorrect assessment of the performance shaping factors (PSFs), especially in health care systems, may lead to irreversible consequences such as death. The current study aimed to adapt PSFs taxonomy given in standardized plant analysis risk human reliability analysis (SPAR-H) technique to surgical context. PSFs taxonomy of the SPAR-H technique was revised, and more contextspecific definitions to surgical context were suggested. Step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) and eleven-digit numerical scale were used for quantification of the weight and negative influence rate of the PSFs during surgical processes, respectively. Nine PSFs were proposed following the SPAR-H taxonomy. The order of the importance of the PSFs was quietly conflicting in terms of weight and negative influence rate. From the perspective of experts, fatigue and threat stress were assessed as the most important PSFs in terms of both weight and negative influence rate. Current study has offered a domain-based understanding of the PSFs, particularly in the surgical context. Results of this study could be used to evaluate human error behaviors during the performance of tasks in the operating room. Moreover, these results could be used for improving patient safety programs in health care systems.

Structural equation modeling of safety performance based on personality traits, job and organizational-related factors.

Purpose. This study investigated the relationship between three selected personality traits and contextual factors with safety performance. Methods. This cross-sectional study was carried out among the operational staff of a gas refinery (n = 487) in Iran. Structural equation modeling was used to model the factors affecting safety performance based on personality traits and job and organizational-related factors including consideration of future safety consequence, safety locus of control and impulsiveness, safety climate, job insecurity and role overload, and mediator roles of safety knowledge and safety motivation. Results. Structural equation modeling results indicated that consideration of future safety consequence was directly correlated with safety performance. Impulsiveness and safety locus of control were indirectly associated with safety performance through the mediator role of safety knowledge and motivation. Furthermore, job insecurity and role overload were partially and directly correlated with safety performance. Moreover, safety climate had a significant relationship with safety performance. Conclusion. Consideration of future safety consequence is a valid personality trait for predicting safety performance. It can therefore be used as an indicator in the employee selection process. Moreover, improving employee safety performance necessitates increased safety knowledge and motivation as well as improved occupational characteristics and safety climate.

Training through fit test and its role in knowledge, attitude and performance of workers regarding respiratory protective equipment: a case study in a petrochemical company.

Background. Providing workers with respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is not enough to protect them. RPE should be selected correctly, worn properly and fitted adequately. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of training through fit test (TTFT) on knowledge, attitude and performance (KAP) of workers regarding a respiratory protection program. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 respirator users in a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess the KAP of workers before any intervention. After that, all participants were trained with a 15-min video-based training intervention and then the qualitative fit test was performed. Participants who failed in the fit test were retrained and the test was repeated. To assess the effect of TTFT, the KAP questionnaire was completed after 3 months. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyze data. Results. There was a significant difference between knowledge, attitude and some of the unsafe behavior before and after TTFT. There was no person with a poor or very poor knowledge status after TTFT. Conclusion. TTFT could improve some unsafe behaviors associated with the user seal check. Moreover, TTFT could be considered an opportunity to improve workers' KAP regarding RPE.

Risk assessment of probable human errors in the scaffold erection and dismantling procedure: a fuzzy approach.

Objectives. Despite widespread use of scaffolds on construction sites, they are the most common causes of accidents, injuries and fatalities in this sector. About 80-90% of all occupational accidents occur as a result of human factors. On construction sites, proper erection/dismantling of scaffold is possibly the most essential factor in preventing accidents as it is one of the factors reported to be highly statistically significant in correlation to a high overall scaffold safety rating. Therefore, analysis of human errors (HEs) caused by scaffolders is important to be implemented. The main objective of this study was to evaluate possible HEs during scaffold erection and dismantling (SE&D). Methods. Stages involved were identified using hierarchical task analysis (HTA). Risk values of HEs were then evaluated using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). Results. Our findings indicate that the highest and lowest risk values were related to the errors of 'failure to reattach braces and connections prior to dismantling scaffolds' and 'insufficient preparation of the firm foundation', respectively. Conclusion. This study formulates a method to estimate the risk of potential HEs in SE&D.