Mojtaba Keshavarz; Rahman Zare; Fateme Alibeygian; Mina Shahbazi; Hamid Jamshidi; Hamidreza Mokarami
Abstract
Background: Universal Design (UD) means designing the products and environments everyone can use as far as possible without requiring specialized compatibility or design. The present study aimed to design and develop a comprehensive and valid checklist to evaluate the design of banks based on UD principles ...
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Background: Universal Design (UD) means designing the products and environments everyone can use as far as possible without requiring specialized compatibility or design. The present study aimed to design and develop a comprehensive and valid checklist to evaluate the design of banks based on UD principles and implement it in Iranian banks.Methods: Based on the seven UD principles and using a mixed methods sequential exploratory design, an initial checklist with 61 items was developed. Then, its psychometric properties were evaluated based on face and content validity and inter-rater agreement. The final checklist was prepared based on the results of this stage and used in the next stage to evaluate the design of 17 banks.Results: The final checklist consisted of 10 areas (as per the seven UD principles). The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) were calculated as 0.91 and 0.93, respectively. Based on areas of the checklist, all the evaluated banks showed many problems, the most significant of which were related to the areas of equal use by different groups, flexibility in use, and the size and space of access and use.Conclusion: The present study’s findings led to the design of a comprehensive and standard checklist to evaluate the design of banks in terms of UD principles. The results indicated that the UD principles were not observed in most studied banks, and they need to implement targeted design interventions.
Ahmad Baleshzar; Zeinab Rasouli Kahaki; Zahra Rojhani
Abstract
Background: Productivity plays a fundamental role in the global economy. Human resources are the most important factor, causing an increase or decrease in the productivity of an organization. Ergonomics is the scientific theory that studies the relationship between individuals and other elements of a ...
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Background: Productivity plays a fundamental role in the global economy. Human resources are the most important factor, causing an increase or decrease in the productivity of an organization. Ergonomics is the scientific theory that studies the relationship between individuals and other elements of a system and the profession applies theories, principles, evidence, and methods to design to optimize human well-being and productivity of the organization. This study aims to investigate the effects of ergonomic features and anxiety on the productivity of office workers. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 176 office workers (133 female and 43 male) of a university with three years of work experience were randomly selected. Data collection tools included demographic surveys, an inspection checklist, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) checklist, the productivity measurement questionnaire, and Beck anxiety inventory. Results: The study results showed that 70% of workstations need to be changed through ergonomic interventions and changes. According to the results obtained from the linear regression model between productivity and working posture, anxiety, and work environmental factors, there is a positive relationship between working environment conditions and productivity (P=0.002). Conclusion: The main contribution of this research is that productivity should receive attention through changing working environment. The chairs are a vital element of an ergonomic and productive work office
Toktam Balandeh; Mohsen razeghi; Zahra Zamanian
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 89-94
Abstract
Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, ...
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Background: Anthropometry is a branch of Ergonomics that considers the measurement and description of the human body dimensions. Accordingly, equipment, environments, and workstations should be designed using user-centered design processes. Anthropometric dimensions differ considerably across gender, race, ethnicity and age, taking into account ergonomic and anthropometric principles. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric characteristics of microscope users and provide a regression model for anthropometric dimensions. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric dimensions (18 dimensions) of the microscope users (N=174; 78 males and 96 females) in Shiraz were measured. Instruments included a Studio meter, 2 type calipers, adjustable seats, a 40-cm ruler, a tape measure, and scales. The study data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20. Results: The means of male and female microscope users’ age were 31.64±8.86 and 35±10.9 years, respectively and their height were 161.03±6.87cm and 174.81±5.45cm, respectively. The results showed that sitting and standing eye height and sitting horizontal range of accessibility had a significant correlation with stature. Conclusion: The established anthropometric database can be used as a source for designing workstations for working with microscopes in this group of users. The regression analysis showed that three dimensions, i.e. standing eye height, sitting eye height, and horizontal range of accessibility sitting had a significant correlation with stature. Therefore, given one’s stature, these dimensions can be obtained with less measurement.
Alireza Choobineh; Hadi Daneshmandi; Shahed Asadi; Shahram Ahmadi
Volume 1, Issue 1 , July 2013, , Pages 33-40
Abstract
Background/Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries. This study was conducted with the objectives of determination of prevalence rate of MSDs and ergonomics assessment of the risk of MSDs among workers of a petrochemical company. Methods: ...
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Background/Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries. This study was conducted with the objectives of determination of prevalence rate of MSDs and ergonomics assessment of the risk of MSDs among workers of a petrochemical company. Methods: In this study, 261randomly selected workers in a petrochemical company with at least one year of job tenure participated. Office and operational personnel were studied separately. In office jobs, data were collected using Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire (NMQ) and ergonomics checklist for assessment of work conditions. In operational jobs, NMQ and QEC (Quick Exposure Check) methods were applied to gather the required data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in the lower back (36.2%), upper back (31%), neck (31%) and knees (30.3%). The results showed that the prevalence of MSDs indifferent body regions of the office staff was higher than those of operational workers. Also, in 40.9% of the observed cases, total ergonomics index was in action category 1 (inappropriate working conditions) and 59.9% of the subjects taken in action category 2 (appropriate working conditions). The results of assessment by QEC technique among operational workers showed that in 82.8% of the workers studied, the level of exposure to musculoskeletal risks was high or very high. Conclusions: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the office staff was higher than that of operational subjects. To improve the working conditions, taking risk factors of the lower back, upper back, neck and knees into consideration seems to be essential.