The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health

Lead (Pb) Exposure on Hemoglobin Levels and Decreasing Lung Function of Fuel Station Workers Banjarmasin

2024-09-09T15:56:13+07:00

Introdution:Exposure to airborne pollutants such as lead (Pb) can cause health problems. Fuel stations are one of
the places with a high risk of Pb exposure sourced from fuel or motor vehicle exhaust emissions. This research aims to
know the effect of Pb exposure on hemoglobin levels and lung function in fuel station workers. Methods: This study
was observational, analytical, and cross-sectional on 40 fuel station workers in South Banjarmasin District. Urinary Pb
measurement was carried out by spectrophotometry, then the relationship to peripheral blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels and
lung function was analyzed based on FEV1 (%), FVC (%), and FEV1/FVC ratio with a simple linear regression test. The
data met the classical assumptions of normality, heteroscedasticity, and with no autocorrelation. If abnormal distribution
was found, data transformation was carried out. Results: Study obtained urinary Pb levels below the normal threshold of
0.0356±0.0074 ppm. Respectively, urinary Pb levels did not have a significant effect on Hb levels (mean±SD:14.39±1.41,
adjusted R2:6.2%, p=0.067), FEV1 (94.15±6.93, 5.8%, p=0.074) and FVC (89.68±6.24, 0.5%, p=0.380). However, urinary
Pb significantly correlated with decreasing the FEV1/FVC ratio (90.87±3.36, 10%, p=0.026) with the equation y=96.550
159.454x even without any obstruction value. Conclusion: This study showed that urinary Pb levels were normal. An
increase in urinary Pb levels has a significant effect on decreasing the FEV1/FVC ratio. Prevention to reduce the health
impacts of Pb needs to be taken. More research on at-risk populations with longer years of service needs to be done

Employees’ Internal Factors Leading to Rule-breaking Acts at the Workplace

2024-08-20T15:45:00+07:00

Introduction: The 2022 National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Profile in Indonesia shows that the human factor in safety is a factor that influences the risk of workplace accidents. The mining accidents statistical data in Indonesia, in which there was a 100% increase of workplace accidents in 2022, have given this industry an urgency to get a special attention to study risk-taking behavior at the workplace. At the organizational level, PT. XYZ (a mining contractor company in Indonesia) has internally measured its safety maturity level and is currently in calculative level, which indicates that the OHS management system has been implemented but the number of unsafe behaviors and unsafe conditions on site is still high. This paper explores quantitative results from research which aims to obtain an overview of employees’ internal factors leading to rule-breaking acts at the workplace. Methods: This paper uses cross-sectional design research with quantitative approach. Using stratified random sampling, a sample of 283 employees of PT. XYZ Site A participated in this study, ranging from managers, supervisors, and workers. Data were collected through a questionnaire with open-ended questions referring to a study from Safe Work Australia and analyzed quantitatively using statistical Chi-Square statistical test. Results: From the results of the Chi-Square test, the independent variables that have a value of Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) below 0.05 (95% CI) and lead to rule-breaking act at workplace are risk-taking behavior acceptance (0.018), normalizing minor accidents (0.002), and decision to take risk (0.000). Conclusion: Employees’ internal factors of risk-taking behavior acceptance, normalizing minor accidents, and decision to take risk have positive and significant effect on rule-breaking acts at the workplace. It is recommended that organizations implement a proper risk management with ALARP principle, safety empowering leadership, and safe behavior trainings to minimize rule-breaking acts at the workplace

Effect of Personality, Individual Characteristics, and Safety Management on Safety Performance at PT PAL Indonesia

2024-09-06T09:21:24+07:00

Introduction: PT PAL Indonesia is one of the largest shipyard industries in Indonesia, Based on the results of the survey conducted, there were several unsafe acts and unsafe conditions observed. The aims of this study aim to analyze the effect of personality, characteristics of individuals and safety management practices on safety performance of workers in the Commercial Ship Division of PT PAL Indonesia Surabaya. Method: This study used a cross-sectional design and simple random sampling method, involving 104 worker samples from a population of 139 workers. The dependent variable was personal safety performance, while the independent variables were personal awareness, safety management practices safety training and individual characteristics. Primary data were collected through questionnaires, observations and interviews. This study includes univariate analysis, bivariate analysis with Chi-square test and multivariate analysis using logistic regression analysis. Results: Based on the results of logistic regression analysis, the effect of conscientiousness personality with safety performance (ρ=0.013), the effect of safety management practices with safety training (ρ=0.000), the effect of age variables with safety performance (ρ=0.024) and the effect of working period variables with safety performance (ρ=0.024). Conclusion: There are effects of conscientiousness, personality, age, working period, safety management practices, and safety training on safety performance of workers at PT PAL Indonesia in 2023. This research can improve work safety performance by understanding the factors that influence it and companies can design more effective safety strategies.

Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Loads and Pain in Physical Therapists Treating Neurological Patients

2024-10-02T14:59:26+07:00

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are one of the major health problems among physical therapists treating neurological patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the risk factors for developing WRMDs in physical therapists in South Korea treating neurological patients. Methods: This research is an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design. In this study, 30 physical therapists who treat neurological patients were recruited by randomly selecting respondents to flyers posted throughout the hospital. To evaluate risk levels, during the transfer of the patient from the wheelchair to the treatment table and during treatment, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was performed. Moreover, physical therapists were assessed for musculoskeletal symptoms through the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) survey. Results: The findings revealed that during the treatment session, the REBA score was 43.33% for medium and high risk level and 13.33% for very high risk level. Meanwhile, during the transfer session, the REBA score was 40% for high risk level and 60% for very high risk level. The results of the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire showed that physical therapists felt significant pain in the wrist/hand, shoulders, neck, lower back, and knee. Conclusion: Physical therapists treating neurological patients have a high risk of developing WRMDs. Thus, changes need to be made regarding the working pattern of physical therapists, and more detailed evaluations of ergonomic risk factors are required.

Fire Protection Systems, Life-Saving Facilities, and Fire Management in Depok City in 2020: A Case Study

2024-01-19T11:03:27+07:00

Introduction: Hospital fire can result in greater casualties, injuries to patients or staff, and loss of property and equipment compared to fires in other types of building. This is attributed to the presence of a large number of vulnerable individuals, including those who are ill, disabled, pregnant, children, elderly, immunocompromised, on life support, or incapable of moving independently. This study aims to assess the implementation of the fire protection system, life-saving facilities, and fire management in Hospital X. Methods: This was a quantitative study on active fire protection system facilities, passive protection system facilities, live-saving facilities, and fire management as the subjects. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and document review, as well as a checklist and then analyzed by comparing the actual conditions with applicable standards and regulations. The final result was presented as the percentage compliance level and categorization according to the criteria established by the Research and Development Agency of the Public Works Department. Results: The active fire protection system presented a standard fulfillment rate of 53%, categorizing it as poor. The passive fire protection systems similarly demonstrated a poor fulfillment rate at 42%, while the life-saving facilities achieved a 66.7% fulfillment rate, placing them in the quite good category. Additionally, fire management attained an 81% fulfillment level, which falls under the good category. Conclusion: Hospital X has a good fire prevention approach with a standard fulfillment level of 60%.

Assessment of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Brick Workers Using an Ergonomic Approach

2024-10-29T15:24:10+07:00

Introduction: This study focuses on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in the manual production of bricks. Specifically, it addresses the repetitive tasks of hoeing, mixing clay, and lifting and carrying bricks, which are performed for prolonged periods. The aim is to assess and mitigate risk factors associated with these manual tasks that may lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Methods: The study involved 75 male workers with an average age of 43.52 ± 11.02 years, an average work experience of 14.18 ± 10.43 years, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 23.73 ± 2.59. The workers' manual material handling (MMH) activities were evaluated using the Workplace Ergonomic Risk Assessment (WERA) and Key Indicator Method (KIM). Additionally, the Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire was used to identify areas of the body where workers experience pain related to their tasks. Results: The WERA assessment identified ten activities with a medium risk level, necessitating further analysis. The KIM assessment revealed six activities with a very high risk level and four with high risk. Recommendations were made for four high-risk activities, specifically suggesting the redesign of material transport carts. This intervention has the potential to reduce injury risk scores by up to 50%. Conclusion: The combined use of the WERA and KIM methods proves effective in assessing MMH risk in brick-production MSMEs, offering insights for targeted ergonomic interventions.

Quantitative Risk Assessment of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil at an Oil and Gas Company

2024-10-10T10:49:34+07:00

Introduction: An oil and gas refinery operates various equipment with specific functions for different processes. Each piece of equipment has potential hazards that can damage the equipment and injure or kill workers. This study focuses on the hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) export facility from the jetty loading area at an oil and gas company that processes flammable liquid using various equipment. Methods: The HAZOP method determined the hazardous spots, and the probability of each equipment failure corresponding to the system was also determined using fault tree analysis (FTA). Furthermore, every event tree analysis (ETA) output probability was also determined. The probability and radius of pool fire varied for different leak hole scenarios. The final steps are individual risk per annum and potential loss of life to measure the risk level of the system. Results: Based on HAZOP deviation scenarios, every operating equipment can potentially cause a pool fire. In FTA, scenarios were developed based on different leakage hole sizes, ranging from 1-3 mm, 3-10 mm, 10-50 mm, 150 mm, and >150 mm. The results indicated that leakage could occur across all operating equipment. Similarly, the ETA applied the same bore size scenarios. The consequence analysis yielded a worst-case outcome of pool fire and a best-case outcome of un-ignited fluid release. Subsequently, the pool fire output was modeled using ALOHA, which resulted in three heat flux zones: the red zone (10 kW/m²), the orange zone (5 kW/m²), and the yellow zone (2 kW/m²). Smaller leak holes had a higher probability but smaller pool fire radius. The initial risk of the export facility was unacceptable. Furthermore, insufficient safeguards contribute significantly to the resulting high-risk level. Two mitigations were implemented: adding safeguards and reducing worker hours. Conclusion: The final results showed that for every piece of equipment, the overall risk of the export facility became acceptable after mitigation..

Health and Safety Issues in Selected Nigerian Medium-Sized Manufacturing Firms

2024-10-09T16:27:44+07:00

Introduction: Medium-sized firms around the world are confronted with several challenges which have continued to hamper their growth chances. One of these issues is lack of global best practices in health and safety. This issue is pronounced among medium-sized manufacturing firms in Nigeria. It was against this backdrop that the study investigated the state of health and safety issues in selected Nigerian medium-sized manufacturing firms. Methods: Survey research design was adopted involving leading medium-sized manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Issues pertaining to health and safety were identified and analyzed. Data were gathered through administration of structured questionnaire and observation check list. Analyses were presented through appropriate statistical means. Results: Relatively secured work environment, workers’ exposure to hazard, absence and inadequate protective devices for workers, archaic fire system infrastructure, lack of insurance cover for workers, irregular health and safety training, inconsistent compliance to health and safety rules were found as the issues in selected Nigerian medium-sized manufacturing firms operating in Nigeria. Conclusion: Health and safety issues is a cog in the wheel of Nigerian medium-sized manufacturing firms. It is imperative to address this issue to strengthen the operations of the industry. The promotion and practice of hygienic health system and safety culture by workers and management must be the way of life in manufacturing firms.

Fatigue Assessment: Study Based on Physical Activity and Muscular Strength at Sedentary Workers

2024-09-16T14:59:52+07:00

Introduction: Work fatigue is often a neglected problem because the symptoms are not specific and not visible directly to the naked eye. Occupational fatigue itself contributes more than 60% of all occupational accidents that occur in the workplace. The high rate of occupational fatigue that can contribute to work accidents is very interesting to be studied further related to the causal factors, including physical activity and muscular strength. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of physical activity and muscular strength with the incidence of fatigue in sedentary workers at Kalla Group located in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Method: The research is cross sectional study with samples in this study were sedentary workers who had relatively similar workloads and lifestyles which were then selected through simple random sampling calculations. This research uses ordinal regression statistical tests. Result: The test results obtained are p-value (p = 0.046) which means there is a significant relationship between fatigue and muscle strength, but there is no relationship between fatigue and exercise habits, no relationship between fatigue and smoking habits, no relationship between fatigue and staying up late and no relationship between fatigue and sitting time in a day on sedentary workers at Kalla Group, Makassar, South Sulawesi. Conclusion: Workers need to do light muscle stretching so that workers do not get tired easily when working in a static position for a long time and workers also need to adopt a healthy lifestyle.