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Background: Due to high prevalence of musculoskeletal risk factors among kitchen workers and their role in causing discomfort, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomic factors (mental workload and working posture) on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers of training hospitals in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done through census among 60 workers of teaching hospital's kitchens of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Data were collected using pain perception and mental workload questionnaires and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method was used for posture assessment. Data were analyzed using single and multiple logistic regression tests. Results: About 85% of the workers reported that their work shift was very heavier than normal. The best and worst exposure score in QEC method were assigned to cooking and trolley responsible tasks, respectively. Seventy percent of working postures were classified in action level 3 (i.e. investigation and changes are required soon) that increased the backache prevalence by nearly about 4 times. Heavy workload in interaction with other influential factors increased the neck discomfort about 5 times and back discomfort by 2.5 times. Conclusions: Long working hours, heavy workload, stress, high-speed work, long standing and inadequate rest are the factors influencing the increase of MSDs prevalence among the kitchen workers. By increasing numbers of manpower, reducing the workload and working hours and adequate rest, in addition to doing the work properly, MSDs in this group can somehow be reduced.

Background:The most accidents can be directly attributed to human factors. Hence, more traffic crashes result from driver malfunctioning which from among them, the driver behavior is a proximal factor in the road traffic injuries causation chain. Objectives: This study aims to investigate relationship between aberrant driving behaviors questionnaire (DBQ factors) and self-report crashes involvement amongst professional bus drivers of public transportation system. Materials and Methods: This analytical descriptive study was performed on 161 urban bus drivers in Tehran. Proportional sampling method was used to select drivers from nine systems or areas. Data were collected through questionnaire including driver's behavior and their demographic information. Validity and reliability of the driver's behavior questionnaire for bus drivers had been confirmed in a previous study. Data collection was analyzed by Pearson correlation and regression logistic of in SPSS 16 of software. Results: Drivers reported accident involvement during the past three years with mean and standard deviation 2.4 ± 3.2, so that 31.1% had been involved in three or more accidents. There was a negative significant correlation between age and risky violation (P = 0.01). Furthermore, accidents involvement in the last three years was positively correlated with working hours per week (P = 0.003) and traffic offences (P = 0.005). Mistake as a driving aberrant behavior had a direct significant relationship with annual mileage (P = 0.020) and accidents involvement in last three years (P = 0.025). Conclusions: Bus driver's crashes can be reduced by less driving time and mistakes which is dependent on mileage they drive.

Background: Proper designing of chairs based on ergonomics increases efficiency, promotes quality of education, leads to correct posture in students, and reduces risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Objectives: The aim of this study was to design and develop an ergonomic chair, based on anthropometric data of students in educational settings. Methods: Anthropometric parameters were obtained from a stratified-random sample of 207 students. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 20 software, and the results were extracted as mean, standard deviation, and percentiles. The chair was planned in the CATIA software and developed by a three-dimensional print. Results: In this study, an ergonomic chair was designed based on anthropometric data from students. The seat height, depth, and width of the chair were determined as 44 cm, 42 cm, and 42.15 cm, respectively. The height of the desk was adjustable in 19 to 29 cm, and the depth and length of the desk were considered as 51 cm and 65 cm. The width and height of the backrest were also 54 cm and 44 cm, and the backrest angle was adjustable in 95°to 105°. Conclusions: An ergonomic chair with adjustable parts was designed to achieve a well-match between anthropometric characteristics of students and the furniture. Such chair can reduce musculoskeletal disorders in students. Some ergonomic characteristics of this chair include adjustability of footrest, backrest, armrests, and desk. A chair with such characteristic can be used by many students with different body sizes.

Journal homepage: www.zums.ac.ir/jhehp Background: Since students spend a lot of time in classrooms and in steady state, many of them may experience signs of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its related risk factors among students. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted among 129 students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016. In order to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, Nordic questionnaire was used. The relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors was evaluated in SPSS20 software. Results: The highest incidence of musculoskeletal discomfort (80%) was observed in the waist area. The neck (38.3%) and shoulder (35%) were the most prevalent at the next levels. Marital status, age, weight, educational level, job, exercise and stress were identified as risk factors affecting the musculoskeletal disorders in the students. Conclusion: It is possible to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders by the necessary trainings to declare the risk factors and their modifications to the students, considering appropriate time between the classes and the use of ergonomic equipment and furniture in the classes. With these actions also can prevent from stress and consequently can increase the concentration and learning power in this group.

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Increasing growth of industry and industrial productions caused the exposure of more than 4 million people with a wide variety of chemicals in the world (1,2). So, the number of chemicals detected at present is over 18 million and 1000 to 2000 new chemicals are added to this number annually which toxicology information is available currently only for 10000 types of chemicals. Some of these substances are new compounds and mixtures which their toxicological properties have not been studied and may be dangerous for humans (3). Exposure to these substances without considering the precautionary principles and control measures, while working with them, can cause numerous health effects on people. Health effects depending on the type of chemicals, route of entry, duration of the