The Indonesian Journal of Occupational Safety and Health

Impact of Occupational Hazards on Pulmonary Function among Selected Textile Industry Workers in Tirupur

2025-07-08T15:56:34+07:00

Introduction: Occupational respiratory diseases represent a global public health issue especially in textile Industry. Exposure to cotton dust is a major contributor, leading to respiratory issues such as coughing, phlegm, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, and byssinosis, all of which cause severe pulmonary illness. The objective is to assess the pulmonary function of selected textile industry workers of Tirupur, Tamil Nadu. Method: Using Crochan’s Formula 656 textile workers from six textile industries of Tirupur (5) and Coimbatore (1) were selected using purposive sampling. The current paper focuses on 160 workers of both the sex (male 124, female 36) working not less than 5-years in the textile industry. A mixed research design (Qualitative and Quantitative) was used. A Qualitative analysis on perception of occupational Hazard and impact on the respiratory illness among the textile industry worker was done among 38 respondents. As part of quantitative research, the demographic details, anthropometric measurements, nature of work, pulmonary function and lifestyle practices such physical activity, smoking, pan chewing and alcohol consumption of the worker were elicited using a validated interview schedule. Using Flow Measuring Spirometer (Helios_v3.2.56) the pulmonary function was tested for Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio according to the guidelines of American Thoracic Society. Result: Sneezing was common symptom experienced followed by allergy, cough and irritation. Among the 160 workers interviewed 33% of the textile workers fell within the age group 20-30 years. The mean BMI was found to be similar for both male (23.39±4.2) and female workers (23.4±4.6). The workers had poor pulmonary function with their FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratios lower than the reference value significant at 1% level (p<0.0001). A higher prevalence of early airway obstruction in females (44%) was observed compared to males (10%). Mild restriction (<80) was observed in 13% of males and 14% of females, while moderate restriction (<64) was reported in 7% of males and 14% of females respectively. Conclusion: Prolonged exposure to cotton dust may attribute to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Mediating Effect of Safety Climate on Occupational Safety Management and Employee Performance

2025-07-08T16:02:29+07:00

Introduction: Occupational Safety Management (OSM) is crucial for workplace safety, especially in high-risk industries. While a positive Safety Climate (SC) promotes safe behavior and boosts Employee Performance (EP), its mediating role between OSM and EP remains underexplored in the FMCG sector. This study investigates how SC mediates the relationship between OSM and EP in FMCG manufacturing industries in Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Research Objective: To examine the mediating role of the Safety Climate in the relationship between Occupational Safety Management and Employee Performance in FMCG manufacturing industries in Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Methods: This mixed-method study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, collecting data from 460 FMCG manufacturing employees. A 5-point Likert scale measured OSM, Safety Climate, and EP. Structural Equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS and SPSS tested relationships and mediation effects. Reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.875.

Results: Structural Equation Modelling showed that OSM positively impacts Safety Climate (β=0.76), which in turn enhances EP (β=0.37). OSM also directly influences EP (β=0.47). The mediating role of the Safety Climate was confirmed (indirect effect β=0.277, p=0.000) and validated using the bootstrap method (5,000 samples).

Conclusion: The study confirms that Safety Climate significantly mediates the relationship between OSM and EP. Enhancing the Safety Climate through leadership, engagement, and training can boost performance. The findings offer valuable insights for improving safety and productivity in the FMCG sector.

Climate Factors Contribute to Irritant Contact Dermatitis Among Farmers: A Study in East Java, Indonesia

2025-08-08T09:05:22+07:00

Introduction: Irritant contact dermatitis is a common occupational disease among farmers, often triggered by environmental stressors. In Indonesia, particularly in Jember and Wuluhan District, over 70% of the population is engaged in farming, increasing vulnerability to climate-related health issues. This study aimed to examine the association between climate variables and the incidence of irritant contact dermatitis among farmers in Wuluhan District, East Java. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using outpatient records from Lojejer Primary Healthcare Facility from July 2022 to December 2024. Included cases were farmers aged ≥17 years diagnosed with irritant contact dermatitis. Climate data—temperature, humidity, and wind flow—were obtained from the World Weather Satellite. Multiple linear regression assessed the relationship between monthly dermatitis cases and climate variables. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 462 dermatitis cases were recorded. Humidity was significantly associated with increased dermatitis incidence (p = 0.047; 95% CI: 1.464 to 0.011; R² = 0.369), suggesting a moderate predictive value. In contrast, temperature (p = 0.274) and wind flow (p = 0.624) were not significant. Conclusions: Humidity significantly contributes to irritant contact dermatitis among farmers, likely due to prolonged skin exposure and barrier dysfunction. These findings underscore the need for climate-responsive occupational health strategies, such as improved protective equipment and work schedule adaptations, to safeguard farmer health amid changing environmental conditions.

Impact of Work-Fit Stretching on Occupational Fatigue Among Industrial Sewing Operators

2025-09-09T08:49:10+07:00

Introduction: Garment sewing employees are exposed to great fatigue factors of long-term static and monotonous works, which affect their productivity and safety. Although Work-Fit Stretching has been proven to be effective in the alleviation of muscle fatigue, possibilities are scarce regarding sewing workers in developing nations. The paper is a review of the impact of ergonomics-predicting stretching action as a time step fatigue action. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial study with 128 sewing operators utilized, who were distributed in a Work-Fit Stretching group and a control group. The intervention took one month that consisted of two sessions a day, five days per week. The reaction timer was used three times to measure occupational fatigue and analyzed in SPSS by independent t-tests and Repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The findings indicated that Work-Fit Stretching program work-depressed the occupational fatigue in sewing workers. A statistically significant difference was observed between the intervention and the control groups in the post-test measurement (p < 0.001), the effect sizes were medium to large (0.670 to 1.117 according to Cohen). Repeated Measures ANCOVA has shown a significant aspect of decreasing the fatigue as the time goes by (p < 0.001; Partial Eta 2 = 0.218), which indicates that the intervention was both statistically and practically effective. Conclusion: Use of Ergonomic-based stretching was very useful in eradicating work fatigue of the sewing operators with moderate-to-large effects maintained across age and years to service. The method is easy and applicable in difficult routine working environments.