Volume 29, Issue 1 (3-2022)
RJMS 2022, 29(1): 251-258 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Tayyebi Sani S M, Delqhandi K, Rouhani A. Evaluating the Health and Hygiene of Employees in Sports Venues Using (HSE) Indicators. RJMS 2022; 29 (1) :251-258
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-9239-en.html
URL: http://rjms.iums.ac.ir/article-1-9239-en.html
1- Faculty Member, Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, PO Box 888-14665 Tehran, Iran , sm.tayyebisani@cfu.ac.ir
2- Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, PO Box 889-14665 Tehran, Iran
3- PhD in Sports Management. Official Secretary of Education, District 1, Tehran. Tehran. Iran
2- Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, PO Box 889-14665 Tehran, Iran
3- PhD in Sports Management. Official Secretary of Education, District 1, Tehran. Tehran. Iran
Abstract: (10 Views)
Background & Aims: Today, organizations not only seek to achieve financial and performance goals but also strive to integrate social values, safety, occupational health, and environmental sustainability into their activities. This transformation in organizational policies has led to the emergence of concepts such as Safety, Occupational Health, and Environment (HSE), which are now recognized as one of the fundamental components of management across various sectors, including the sports industry. In this framework, Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) management systems serve as a comprehensive framework for managing physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic risks, playing a key role in protecting employee health and improving organizational efficiency. In various industries, including manufacturing and services, studies have shown that safety and health deficiencies can lead to reduced production, increased costs, higher workforce turnover, and decreased job satisfaction. In this regard, sports facilities, due to the wide range of dynamic activities, direct interaction with individuals, and the presence of complex physical facilities (such as heavy equipment, aquatic sites, and enclosed spaces), face safety, health, and environmental risks for their employees' well-being. With growing attention to occupational health and safety across different sectors, the assessment of Safety, Occupational Health, and Environment (HSE) indicators has been recognized as a key tool in safeguarding employee health. Sports facilities, due to their dynamic activities and direct interaction with individuals, are exposed to safety, health, and environmental risks concerning their staff's health. This study aimed to assess the health and well-being of employees in sports facilities in Tehran using HSE indicators.
Methods: This research is descriptive-analytical and employs a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. The statistical population includes all sports facilities in Tehran city, and the statistical sample consists of 50 facilities in 5 districts of Tehran selected via convenience cluster sampling. An HSE assessment checklist was used. This evaluation assesses the conditions in which employees perform their activities. Indicators are categorized into physical, chemical, and biological groups. The William Fine method was used for risk assessment. This study was designed with a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach, is cross-sectional in terms of execution time, and is applied in terms of its outputs. The statistical population of this research includes all active sports facilities in Tehran city. Sampling was performed using convenience cluster sampling, and 50 sports facilities were assessed. The primary data collection tool was an HSE assessment checklist containing 30 questions in the domains of Safety, Occupational Health, and Environment, completed using a Likert scale. Filling out this supervisory checklist required the researcher's presence on-site. This evaluation assesses the conditions in which employees perform their activities. Indicators are categorized into physical, chemical, and biological groups. Health indicators include the assessment of factors such as work-related diseases, which are directly related to employee health. Risk assessment was performed using the William Fine method. In this method, three parameters – Consequence (C), Exposure (E), and Probability (P) – are determined. The calculated Risk Score was 900, indicating a high level of risk and the need for immediate corrective actions to protect employees and visitors. Simple qualitative risk assessments are performed by making informed judgments about a particular activity. Structured qualitative assessments have a subjective (non-objective) nature and are based on personal judgments supported by focused observations. Consequences and frequency (number of occurrences) are typically estimated on an approximate basis (e.g., low, medium, or high).
Results: The results indicated that the sports facilities do not have a suitable status regarding safety, occupational health, and environment. The risk index calculated using the William Fine method was 900, indicating a very high risk and an emergency situation for the health of the employees. These results are consistent with the findings of studies in the fields of HSE and occupational safety. Based on the findings, Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) management systems are not fully implemented in Tehran's sports facilities, and occupational risks to employee health are overlooked.
Conclusion: The present research demonstrated that implementing HSE systems can help reduce accidents, improve the quality of work life, and increase employee efficiency. Paying attention to these indicators can be an important step towards protecting employee health in the sports sector. To achieve the goal of reducing the risk below 200 within six months, the following actions should be implemented in order of priority: Immediate Action: Complete review of structural safety and heavy equipment in the first month (to reduce the consequence of death/environmental damage). Short-term Action: Implementation of a "near-miss" reporting system to increase incident reporting to 10 cases per month in the second month (to reduce the probability of occurrence). Medium-term Action: Development and implementation of specialized training programs to achieve 100% coverage by the third month. Long-term Action (Sustainability): Full implementation of a preventive maintenance plan for all facilities by the sixth month. The health of employees in Tehran's sports facilities is directly dependent on the quality of the HSE system. Regardless of the type of assessment method (qualitative or quantitative), a risk rate of 900 is a serious warning. The full establishment of HSE management based on managerial requirements and standards is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical necessity for preserving the human capital of these organizations. Preventive maintenance and adequate monitoring of safety protocol implementation are critical to prevent the risk from returning to a critical level. It is suggested to: Conduct in-depth technical audits (by external experts if necessary) to identify and rectify physical hazard points (such as structure, equipment, ventilation/firefighting systems). Focus on reducing the duration of employee exposure to high-risk environments. This can be achieved through work scheduling, the use of more suitable personal protective equipment, or process improvements to reduce direct exposure. Train employees based on the consequence score, focusing on worst-case scenarios (such as major fires or structural damage), to ensure preparedness for quick and correct response. Establish or revise the HSE management system based on international standards. This should include defining responsibilities, standard operating procedures, and emergency response plans. Promote an active safety culture. Since the success of the system depends on employee commitment, establishing safety committees with worker representatives is essential for continuous monitoring and active reporting of minor risks. Implement Key Performance Indicators to measure progress. These indicators should include incident rates, number of inspections conducted, and the rate of corrective action implementation. Ensure sufficient budget for modernizing old equipment and providing necessary safety infrastructure, in accordance with risk audit findings. Ensure that HSE management is integrated not as a peripheral activity, but as a fundamental element in the operational and strategic planning of sports organizations (aligned with sustainable development goals).
Methods: This research is descriptive-analytical and employs a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach. The statistical population includes all sports facilities in Tehran city, and the statistical sample consists of 50 facilities in 5 districts of Tehran selected via convenience cluster sampling. An HSE assessment checklist was used. This evaluation assesses the conditions in which employees perform their activities. Indicators are categorized into physical, chemical, and biological groups. The William Fine method was used for risk assessment. This study was designed with a mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) approach, is cross-sectional in terms of execution time, and is applied in terms of its outputs. The statistical population of this research includes all active sports facilities in Tehran city. Sampling was performed using convenience cluster sampling, and 50 sports facilities were assessed. The primary data collection tool was an HSE assessment checklist containing 30 questions in the domains of Safety, Occupational Health, and Environment, completed using a Likert scale. Filling out this supervisory checklist required the researcher's presence on-site. This evaluation assesses the conditions in which employees perform their activities. Indicators are categorized into physical, chemical, and biological groups. Health indicators include the assessment of factors such as work-related diseases, which are directly related to employee health. Risk assessment was performed using the William Fine method. In this method, three parameters – Consequence (C), Exposure (E), and Probability (P) – are determined. The calculated Risk Score was 900, indicating a high level of risk and the need for immediate corrective actions to protect employees and visitors. Simple qualitative risk assessments are performed by making informed judgments about a particular activity. Structured qualitative assessments have a subjective (non-objective) nature and are based on personal judgments supported by focused observations. Consequences and frequency (number of occurrences) are typically estimated on an approximate basis (e.g., low, medium, or high).
Results: The results indicated that the sports facilities do not have a suitable status regarding safety, occupational health, and environment. The risk index calculated using the William Fine method was 900, indicating a very high risk and an emergency situation for the health of the employees. These results are consistent with the findings of studies in the fields of HSE and occupational safety. Based on the findings, Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) management systems are not fully implemented in Tehran's sports facilities, and occupational risks to employee health are overlooked.
Conclusion: The present research demonstrated that implementing HSE systems can help reduce accidents, improve the quality of work life, and increase employee efficiency. Paying attention to these indicators can be an important step towards protecting employee health in the sports sector. To achieve the goal of reducing the risk below 200 within six months, the following actions should be implemented in order of priority: Immediate Action: Complete review of structural safety and heavy equipment in the first month (to reduce the consequence of death/environmental damage). Short-term Action: Implementation of a "near-miss" reporting system to increase incident reporting to 10 cases per month in the second month (to reduce the probability of occurrence). Medium-term Action: Development and implementation of specialized training programs to achieve 100% coverage by the third month. Long-term Action (Sustainability): Full implementation of a preventive maintenance plan for all facilities by the sixth month. The health of employees in Tehran's sports facilities is directly dependent on the quality of the HSE system. Regardless of the type of assessment method (qualitative or quantitative), a risk rate of 900 is a serious warning. The full establishment of HSE management based on managerial requirements and standards is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical necessity for preserving the human capital of these organizations. Preventive maintenance and adequate monitoring of safety protocol implementation are critical to prevent the risk from returning to a critical level. It is suggested to: Conduct in-depth technical audits (by external experts if necessary) to identify and rectify physical hazard points (such as structure, equipment, ventilation/firefighting systems). Focus on reducing the duration of employee exposure to high-risk environments. This can be achieved through work scheduling, the use of more suitable personal protective equipment, or process improvements to reduce direct exposure. Train employees based on the consequence score, focusing on worst-case scenarios (such as major fires or structural damage), to ensure preparedness for quick and correct response. Establish or revise the HSE management system based on international standards. This should include defining responsibilities, standard operating procedures, and emergency response plans. Promote an active safety culture. Since the success of the system depends on employee commitment, establishing safety committees with worker representatives is essential for continuous monitoring and active reporting of minor risks. Implement Key Performance Indicators to measure progress. These indicators should include incident rates, number of inspections conducted, and the rate of corrective action implementation. Ensure sufficient budget for modernizing old equipment and providing necessary safety infrastructure, in accordance with risk audit findings. Ensure that HSE management is integrated not as a peripheral activity, but as a fundamental element in the operational and strategic planning of sports organizations (aligned with sustainable development goals).
Keywords: Health and Safety System, Environment, Occupational Health, Employee Health, Sports Complexes
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Clinical Psychiatry
Send email to the article author
