Industrial chemical accidents: a growing health hazard in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Background: Occupational chemical accidents have increased in recent years in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In June and August 2015, three large explosions occurred at chemical warehouses in Rey, Tehran Province, and toxic vapours were released.

Aims: This study reviewed the three chemical accidents and assessed the extent to which the requirements for chemical safety and preparedness for chemical incidents under the International Health Regulations (IHR) are in place, and implemented at local and national levels in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Methods: Data were obtained from secondary data and field visits to selected chemical plants. The secondary data were used to complete a 33-item checklist based on the IHR and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education checklist. A sample of 15 warehouses in Kahrizak district, Rey County, were visited to assess their capacity in relation to the IHR using a 15-item checklist.

Results: Some weaknesses were seen in the IHR capacity in the study area. The main weaknesses were lack of an effective surveillance system for chemical accidents and low levels of safety in chemical plants and warehouses. Other weaknesses included the lack of awareness of residents about chemical hazards and poorly equipped health centres for the management of victims of chemical accidents. The study area was not prepared for chemical accidents both within industrial plants and residential areas.

Conclusions: Action is needed to improve the areas of weakness so as to achieve the necessary capacities for chemical safety, and preparedness and response to chemical incidents in line with the IHR

effects of prioritize inspections on occupational health hazards control in workplaces in Iran

Iran, a newly industrializing country in Middle East, has a workforce of 25 million people. Most employees are working in agriculture, manufacturing, services, construction, commerce sectors, carpet weaving and mining. This article aims to explore the improvement of occupational harmful agents in workplaces due to implement "prioritize inspections". In 2012, the system of "prioritize inspections "was defined for surveillance on enterprises replace of routine inspection. From this system, the enterprises classified on four groups based on health hazards and enterprises with high risk were under more surveillance. The information about each enterprise was collected by health centers, in five provinces and reported by a recommended form to Centre of Environmental and Occupational Health [CEOH]. At this program, the inspections from high and medium hazards were increased in all of provinces. The results showed there was a significant difference between the control of health hazards in before and after beginning of "prioritize inspections"[P=0.048]. The control of noise, fumes and providing of proper illumination increased from 8 to 10%, 9to 9.5%, 12.9 to 15.4%, respectively, at under study provinces in 2012 compared to 2011. The surveillance based on "prioritize inspections" increased the quality of occupational health inspections that causes to prevent occupational health diseases

[ relationship between job stress and occupational accidents in an automobile manufacturing company]

Automobile manufacturing industries are consider among the main sites where accidents are likely to happen. From a cognitive point of view, stress can cause problems such as poor concentration, absent-mindedness, and hesitancy while making decision. This study examines the relationship between job stress and occupational accidents in an automobile manufacturing company. For this descriptive- analytic study, the psychological stress of the occupational groups was measured using standard job stress questionnaire. Safety Behavior Sampling [SBS] technique was used to collect samples of dangerous behaviors. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistic, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and Logistic regression tests. Based on our results 88% of the sample suffered from a high level of occupational stress. There was also a statistically significant correlation between level of stress and number of accidents experienced by an individual. [P<0.05]. Having considered the relationship between occupational stress and work-related accidents, minimizing or eliminating risk factors need to be carried out through developing occupational stress management programs as well as following safety measures through reinforcing principles of safe behavior at all levels of organization