Iranian Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE)
Not a member yet
218 research outputs found
Sort by
An application of failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) to assess risks in petrochemical industry in Iran
Get PDFPetrochemical industries have a high rate of accidents. Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is a systematic method and thus is capable of analyzing the risks of systems from concept phase to system disposal, detecting the failures in design stage, and determining the control measures and corrective actions for failures to reduce their impacts. The objectives of this research were to perform FMEA to identify risks in an Iranian petrochemical industry and determine the decrease of the risk priority number (RPN) after implementation of intervention programs. This interventional study was performed at one petrochemical plant in Tehran, Iran in 2014. Relevant information about job categories and plant process was gathered using brainstorming techniques, fishbone diagram, and group decision making. The data were collected through interviews, observation, and documents investigations and was recorded in FMEA worksheets. The necessary corrective measures were performed on the basis of the results of initial FMEA. Forty eight failures were identified in welding unit by application of FMEA to assess risks. Welding processes especially working at height got the highest RPN. Obtained RPN for working at height before performing the corrective actions was 120 and the score was reduced to 96 after performing corrective measures. Calculated RPN for all processes was significantly reduced (p≤0.001) by implementing the corrective actions. Scores of RPN in all studied processes effectively decreased after performing corrective actions in a petrochemical industry. FMEA method is a useful tool for identifying risk intervention priorities and effectiveness in a studied petrochemical industry
Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders among computer Users in Isfahan
Get PDFAlong with widespread use of computers, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have become the most prevalent ergonomic problems in computer users. With evaluating musculoskeletal disorders among Computer Users can intervent a action to reduce musculoskeletal disorders carried out. The aim of the present study was to Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Computer Users in Isfahan University with Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method and Nordic questionnaire. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 96 computer users in Isfahan university. The data were analyzed using correlation and line regression by test spss 20. and descriptive statistics and Anova test.
Data collection tool was Nordic questionnaire and Rapid Office Strain Assessment method checklist. The results of Nordic questionnaire showed that prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in computer users were in the shoulder (62.1%), neck (54.9%) and back (53.1%) respectively more than in other parts of the body. Based on the level of risk of ROSA were 19 individuals in an area of low risk, 50 individual area of notification and 27 individual in the area hazard and need for ergonomics interventions. Musculoskeletal disorders prevalence were in women more than men. Also Anova test showed that there is a direct and significant correlation between age and work experience with a final score ROSA (
Analysis of Muscloskeletal symptom among workers in rubber industry
Get PDFAlthough Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) represents a common occupational problem, few epidemiological studies have investigated MSDs among industrial workers. MSDs are a common industrial health problem throughout the world and a serious cause of disability among the industrial workers.The goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (ache, pain, or discomfort) among rubber workers in Iran, using the standard Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). The study population consisted of 100 males with mean age 31.73. Out of every 10 workers, in the last work week, seven reported complaints in the lower legs. The results are also indicated age and experience were significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in the different body regions
Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Household Appliances Manufacturing Company
Get PDFWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent work-related disorders and injuries and being the main cause of disability. This study was conducted to assessment of the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in worker company household appliances production. Posture analysis was evaluated by OWAS method and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders by Nordic questionnaire. With evaluating musculoskeletal disorders among company household appliances production can intervention action to reduce musculoskeletal disorders was carried out. This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 workers of the appliance manufacturing industry. These Individuals were included 15 persons from foam injection workshop, 17 persons from molding workshop, 17 operators of presses, 17 persons from packaging, 17 person from cutting unit and 17 operators of rivet. The Nordic questionnaire was completed by Individuals for the organs of arm, back, leg and wrist and Posture analysis was performed by OWAS method. The data were analyzed using Spss software version 18 and descriptive statistics and Anova test. Nordic questionnaire results revealed that highest disorders were observed in the arm (25%), back (22%) and leg (21%). Also Anova test showed that was observed a significant correlation respectively between age and work experience with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (
Applying moving bed biofilm reactor for removing linear alkylbenzene sulfonate using synthetic media
Get PDFDetergents and problems of their attendance into water and wastewater cause varied difficulties such as producing foam, abnormality in the growth of algae, accumulation and dispersion in aqueous environments.
One of the reactors was designated with 30% of the media with the similar conditions exactly same as the other which had filling rate about 10 %, in order to compare both of them together. A standard method methylene blue active substance was used to measure anionic surfactant. The concentrations of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate which examined were 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/l in HRT 72, 24 and 8 hrs.
The removal percentage for both of reactors at the beginning of operating at50 mg/l concentration of pollutant had a bit difference and with gradually increasing the pollutant concentration and decreasing Hydraulic retention time, the variation between the removal percentage of both reactors became significant as the reactor that had the filling rate about 30 %, showed better condition than the other reactor with 10 % filling rate. Ideal condition in this experiment was caught at hydraulic retention time about 72 hrs and 200 mg/l pollutants concentration with 99.2% removal by the reactor with 30% filling rate. While the ideal condition for the reactor with 10% filling rate with the same hydraulic retention time and 100 mg/l pollutants concentrations was obtained about 99.4% removal.
Regarding anionic surfactant standard in Iran which is 1.5 mg/l for surface water discharge, using this process is suitable for treating municipal wastewater and industrial wastewater which has a range of the pollutant between 100-200 mg/l. but for the industries that produce detergents products which make wastewater containing more than 200 mg/l surfactants, using secondary treatment process for achieving discharge standard is required
A comparative study on dust exposure, respiratory symptoms and lung function among farmers and non-farmers
Get PDFConsidering the importance and essence of farmers’ health, this study has been conducted with the aim of evaluating the amount of the dust confronting farmers and the farmers’ respiratory symptoms and function during the course of wheat collection in 2014 in Zabul villages (Sistan & Balouchestan province, Iran).
For this cross sectional study, the dust of the respiratory scope of two groups (farmers and non-farmers) was sampled by PVC filter for 90 minutes with the flow rate of 1.5 lit/min on the basis of NIOSH 0500 method during daily 8 work hours of 5 successive days of manual wheat reaping. Data regarding respiratory symptoms (n=50 rural men over the age of 40) was gathered through interviews and questionnaires, and pulmonary function was measured by Spiro lobe (made in MIR of the US); besides, data analysis was done by SPSS 18, T-Test, Chi-Square, and Logistic regression.
The mean dust intensity confronting the farmers was 36.7 mg/m3, and the rate of some breathing complaints namely coughing (P≤0.001), sputum (P≤0.009) and shortness of breath (P≤0.026) became meaningful in the two groups. The average amounts of spirometer parameters of the farmers were less than that of the non-farmers, and the statistical difference of all the parameters except for FEV1/FVC (P=0.06) was meaningful (P≤0.05). The results of the present study indicated that confronting with dust could cause respiratory complaints and decrease spirometer parameters in the farmers
Feasibility study for application of the marine coral powder as an adsorbent for Volatile Organic Hydrocarbons
Get PDFThe marine coral has a porous outer surface and it has served in the processes such as water treatment systems, removal of carbon dioxide and adsorption of arsenic. Based on the need for cheap and efficient adsorbents, in sampling, the aim of this study, comparison of the efficiency of marine coral powder and activated charcoal in adsorption of volatile organic hydrocarbons was considered. In this experimental research, a certain concentrations of 8 volatile organic hydrocarbons: (para-Xylene, Chloroform, Carbon tetrachloride, tert-Butanol, Pyridine, Acetone, Ethyl acetate and Diethyl ether) was injected into dynamic atmospheric chamber in the NTP (Normal Temperature and Pressure) conditions. Air sampling was performed with the tube containing marine coral powder as well as the tube of activated charcoal, based on the standard method of NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and in the same laboratory conditions. Then samples were injected into the gas Chromatograph apparatus and analytical comparison has been done between the amount of adsorption of hydrocarbons by activated charcoal and coral powder-test and Mann-Whitney were done with SPSS V.20.Findings showed that there was a significant difference between the amount of adsorption of Para-Xylene, carbon tetrachloride, tert-Butanol, Pyridine, acetone and Ethyl acetate hydrocarbons by activated charcoal and coral powder (
Humic Acid Degradation via Solar Photo-Fenton Process in Aqueous Environment
Get PDFControl of mutagenic and carcinogenic disinfection by-products, particularly Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Halo Acetic Acids (HAAs) in water treatment process is critical, due to their adverse effects on human health. Generally, reducing the toxicity of these by-products hinges on prior removal of the precursor materials, such as Humic Acid (HA) in drinking water. This study was conducted to investigate the role of some parameters that could affect the removal of HA, including HA (5 and 10 ppm) and H2O2 (20, 40, 60, and 80 ppm) initial concentrations, Iron (II), sulfate heptahydrate dosage (4, 8, 12, and 16 ppm), pH (2, 3, 4 and 5), Oxidation time (5, 10, 15 and 30 min), and Sunlight levels (322±13 kWm-2). To accelerate the process of HA removal, the Solar Photo-Fenton (SPF) process was employed by direct irradiation of converged sunlight in a Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), with 3m2 effective area. HA levels were measured via quantifying Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) concentrations by means of a TOC Analyzer method. The results showed that the SPF process is under control of the Fe & H2O2 ratio, the Fe2+ dosage and especially the pH quantity. In optimal condition, (pH: 4, oxidation time: 30min, initial HA levels: 50 ppm, H2O2 concentrations: 20 ppm Fe+2 levels: 4 ppm), the study found more than 98% DOC removal. In conclusion, the SPF, as an economically effective technique, could be applied for the removal of HA in aqueous environments
A Review of Common Problems in Design and Installation of Water Spray Cooling and Low Expansion Foam System to Protect Storage Tanks Containing Hydrocarbons Against Fires
Get PDFTank fires are rare but carry significant potential risk to life and property. For this reason fire protection of tanks is critical. Fixed Low expansion foam and water spray cooling systems are one of the most effective and economical ways to reduce damages to a tank from fire. Such systems are currently installed in many companies but are not effective enough and require involvement of firefighters which in turn threaten their lives. This paper studies in a systematic way the problems of foam and cooling systems currently installed in a few domestic companies which operate storage tanks with focus on floating and fixed roof atmospheric tanks containing hydrocarbons and offers possible solutions for more efficient installation, design and operation of such systems
Dimensionality in canonical correlation of settlements characteristics and levels of infrastructure in rural Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in 2014
Get PDFThis study examines the relationship between rural settlements characteristics and access levels to infrastructural facilities in Akwa Ibom State. A total of 50 rural settlements were randomly selected and utilized for this study. Access levels to five basic social infrastructural facilities and six variables of settlements characteristics were examined simultaneously using multivariate method of canonical correlation analysis. The question this research set to address is: along how many dimensions are the settlements characteristics related to the levels of infrastructural facilities? Five canonical functions were produced out of which the first two were found to be significant at 0.001 levels. The first canonical correlation coefficient of 0.88 (0.86 adjusted), representing 78% overlapping variance for the first pair of canonical functions or variates was obtained while the second canonical correlation coefficient was 0.59 (0.50 adjusted) and thus, represent 34% overlapping variance for the second pair of canonical variates. These canonical correlations are highly significant and represent a substantial relationship between pairs of canonical variates. The result showed that in Akwa Ibom State, rural settlements characteristics and basic social infrastructure can be related at least in two major dimensions. This study therefore reaffirms the potentials of canonical correlation analysis as a useful tool for establishing empirically based linkages between two data sets