Fitness-for-work assessment of train drivers of Yazd railway, central Iran

National Transport Commission [NTC] classifies train driving as a high-level safety critical job. To assess fitness-for-work among train drivers in Yazd, central Iran. We evaluated 152 train drivers for their fitness for duty. The results were then compared with NTC guidelines. 63.8% of subjects were fit for duty, 34.2% fit subject to review, and 2.0% were temporarily unfit. The most common reason for fit subject to review was a Kessler score >19. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 48.0% and 15.0%, respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 69.7%, diabetes 10.0%, impaired fasting glucose 36.0%, and hypertension was 19.0%, respectively. Most studied train drivers can continue their work safely. The prevalence of some risk factors such as overweight and dyslipidemia were high among train drivers. This warrants further evaluation and establishment of control programs

[Assessment of sick building syndrome among office workers in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, 2008]

Building associated illnesses are a group of illnesses caused by physical or psychological conditions of workplace. One of these illnesses is sick building syndrome [SBS] which consists of a group of symptoms, including mucosal irritation, headache, fatigue, skin dryness and itching, and nausea that temporally related to presence in a particular building. This study was designed to assess SBS and factors affecting it in central building of Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences. This is a cross-sectional study on workers of central building of Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences. The prevalence of SBS was determined using self-administered indoor air quality [IAQ] questionnaire for office workers. All workers who worked at least one year in this building and had no other medical illnesses with similar symptoms to SBS, entered the study and the questionnaire was filled out for them. Data was analyzed using chi square test. Prevalence of SBS among the workers of central building was 35.7% [34.8% in male and 36.9% in female workers]. There was no significant association between prevalence of SBS and age, gender, duration of employment and level of education. The most frequent complaints mentioned by gender, duration of employment and level of education. The most frequent complaints mentioned by participants were fatigue and headache, and the most frequent causes were noise, inadequate physical space and crowded work environment. This survey showed a relatively high prevalence of SBS among office workers in this organization. So considering the effects of SBS on workers' function and productivity, it is recommended to reduce its causes, especially noise and inadequate space

[Musculoskeletal disorders among video display terminal [VDT] workers comparing with other office workers]

Scientific and industrial development has led to increased production, which has been associated with different complications, including occupational stress, and increased incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders are frequent causes of absenteeism in developed countries. We designed this study to assess musculoskeletal disorders and occupational stress among video display terminal [VDT] workers in comparison with other office workers. This was a cross-sectional study on 72 VDT workers [case] and 145 office workers [control]. In this study we used Nordic and Osipow questionnaires in order to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders and job stress, respectively. The questionnaires were filled by direct interview. T test, chi square, Fisher test and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The frequency of musculoskeletal disorders among VDT users in the last 12 months was 46.5%, 20.3%, 5.1%, 12.4% and 57.6% in neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist and low back areas, respectively. The frequency of musculoskeletal complaints in neck, shoulder and wrist and mean score of occupational stress was significantly higher in the case group comparing with control group, and both results were statistically significant. VDT working is a high-risk job for musculoskeletal disorders. In this study the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders, especially in high-risk regions for this job, was higher in VDT workers than other office workers. We recommend to perform other studies in order to find non-ergonomic points and postures in these persons

comparison between venables standardized respiratory questionnaire and pre-shift spirometry in screening of occupational asthma in a steel industry

Occupational asthma [OA] is the most common occupational lung disease in developed countries. One of the causative agents is metal fume that may be encountered in steel industries. Screening for the OA is mainly performed by questionnaire but in our country spirometry is used more commonly. To compare the diagnostic value of the Venables standardized respiratory questionnaire and pre-shift spirometry as screening tools for OA. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated 450 workers of a steel industry by the Venables standardized questionnaire. We also performed a pre-shift spirometry as the screening spirometry and a post-shift spirometry. A person with 10% drop in post-shift FEV[1] compared with the pre-shift value was considered as asthmatic [our gold-standard]. The results of the questionnaire and the pre-shift spirometry were then examined against the gold-standard test results. For each test, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The overall prevalence of OA among our studied workers was 3.9% [95% CI: 1.9%-5.9%]. The highest rate was seen in those working in catering [25%] and welding [10%] units. Pre-shift spirometry and the questionnaire had low sensitivity [42.9% and 28.6%, respectively] and positive predictive values [16.7% and 3.6%, respectively]; moderate specificity [92.4% and 71.6%, respectively] and high negative predictive values [97.9% and 96.5%, respectively]. Taking into account the ease of use of the questionnaire, it seems that it is more feasible to use questionnaire as the primary screening tool for the diagnosis of OA

analysis of anthropometric data on Iranian primary school children

Anthropometric data can be used to identify the physical dimensions of equipment, furniture, etc. The use of furniture that fails to fulfill the anthropometric data of its users has a negative impact on human health. Specific anthropometric dimensions are necessary to design school furniture. Anthropometric data have been measured in many communities especially among schoolchildren. There are different ethnic groups with probably different anthropometric data in Iran, and anthropometric data can change by time, so gathering data about anthropometric dimensions is important. This study was designed to obtain anthropometric dimensions of Iranian children [Fars ethnicity] aged 7-11 years. In a cross-sectional study in Yazd, Iran, descriptive statistics as well as key percentiles for 17 static anthropometric data of primary school students [1015 males and 1015 females], were measured and compared between boys and girls. The age of the students was between 6 and 11 years. Mean weight was between 21.56 +/- 5.33 kg and 36.63 +/- 9.45 kg in boys and between 20.79 +/- 3.48 kg and 35.88 +/- 9.40 kg in girls. Mean height was between 1187/02 +/- 53.98 mm and 1420.83 +/- 69.39 mm in boys and between 1173.90 +/- 51.01 mm and 1421.27 +/- 70.82 mm in girls. There was also some difference in other anthropometric data between two genders. Results of this study showed some differences in anthropometric data with other studies. We also observed significant gender differences in some dimensions as well

An unusual form of silicosis in a stone-cutter

Silicon dioxide or silica is the earth's most abundant mineral. The primary pulmonary illness attributable to silica exposure is silicosis, which is observed in three forms: classic, accelerated and acute. A case of silicosis is presented in this article who has been working in a stone-cutting plant. He had suffered from symptoms of silicosis one year after employment in this plant [acute form], but his radiologic findings were compatible with accelerated or chronic silicosis. One of the important occupational diseases is silicosis, which is not treatable but is preventable. However, because of lack of appropriate engineering controls or personal protective devices in some workplaces we observe cases of silicosis yet