[ study on heat stress and its risk assessment in a steel factory]

A glance at different occupations and production processes showed that one of the important and popular occupational health problems in the workplace is improper climate conditions such as hot environments .In this condition the core body temperature may increase and cause some diseases, occupational accidents and reduction of efficiency. The purpose of this study is determination of heat stress and its risk assessment in a steel factory. In order to survey heat stress, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Ahwaz in the autumn season and WBGT index was used as a standard method for heat stress measurement. After measurement of WBGT index, the results were compared to ACGIH_TLV. In the second stage, for the assessment of probable heat hazard, psychometric conditions of work place along with some other parameters like work load, kind of occupation, distance between workplace and rest areas, water consumption and uses of personal protective devices were taken into account In this area, it was tried to determine the existence of improper probable heat condition with regard to priority and necessity for modifications. After measurement in production process, other workshops and administrative office, the data were compared to ACGIH standards .The results showed that the workplace had acceptable climate conditions from heat stress with 81.1%and there were no acceptable climate conditions with 18.9%which is above TLV. The workplaces heat risk assessment showed that their conditions with 14.3%, 49.3% and 36.4% were in level one to three respectively. Although the fall season in regions such as Khuzestan is cooler than summer, but employment in industries such as steel due to its exothermic process, a threat to the health of these kinds of workers. The heat conservation planning should not only be limited to the summer season. More research in the spring and even winter are recommended.

[Survey of radiation protection awareness anong radiation workers in Shiraz hospitals]

Ionizing radiations are the hazardous agents in the workplace and all forms of ionizing radiation produce some type of injuries. Awareness of application of protection guidelines and knowledge of the principles of radiation protection can play an important role in health of employees. Survey of radiation employee's levels of awareness and practical behavior is essential and should be standardized. The hospitals were visited to determine the number of radiation employees and to select the samples. Data was collected by questionnaire and analyses were performed by EPI6 software. The employee's awareness about protection in the radiation room was 70%, about application of film badge was more than 85%. The employee's awareness of periodic inspection of atomic energy organization expert was 54% and their knowledge of long term and short term radiation effects were 98% and 95%, respectively. There was a meaningful relation concerning the level of education and awareness of the employees about MPD or principles of radiation protection [P<0.0007 and P<0.003 respectively]. Our results reveal that the employees have acceptable knowledge about the use of film badges, however, they lack enough awareness concerning other issues of radiation protection. Proper and periodic educational courses for radiation workers are mandatory