International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Analysis of potential ergonomic hazards in metal craft welding workers
Full text linkIntroduction: Welding work is usually done according to the condition of the object being welded. The working posture of the welding process is usually sitting, standing, or half-bending for a long time. This posture includes awkward postures that cause a lot of problems for the worker\u27s body. It is necessary to conduct an analysis to be able to provide recommendations for improvement of the work position.
Methods: This study was conducted using an observational method based on a survey sheet from the measurement of potential ergonomic hazards (SNI 9011 of 2021) and the RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) method in 12 metal craft industry sites in the province of Bali, Indonesia. Data were taken based on measurement procedures and analyzed in a quantitative, descriptive manner based on the interpretation of potential ergonomic hazards.
Results: There were 83.3% of respondents who felt pain often, and 16.7% of respondents felt that they always had pain in the right and left hips. The level of ergonomic hazards reached a score of 8–16, meaning a high risk level, and the ergonomic risk factor reached a score greater than 7, which meant dangerous.
Conclusion: The working posture is not ergonomic for welders, causing disorders of fatigue quickly, glowing eyes, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the waist, back, calves, and legs. It is recommended that there is a need for immediate ergonomic intervention in the welding section of the metal craft industry to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, and improve work posture
Occupational safety awareness, practice, and their correlation among employees of food and beverage industries of Telangana, India
Full text linkIntroduction: In all manufacturing sectors, it is very important to ensure workers are informed of potential safety risks because of the implications for public safety, employee welfare, and organizations. This research aims to examine safety hazard awareness in the food and beverage industry (FBI) in Telangana, India, and to investigate the relationship between safety awareness and workplace safety practices.
Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design with data collected from June to August 2023. A random sampling technique was employed, selecting 110 employees from Telangana, India\u27s food and beverage industry. The collected statistical data was analyzed using key statistical indicators, including the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, the Kruskal-Walli’s test, and the Mann–Whitney U test for p-value determination. These analyses were conducted using SPSS.
Results: With 90% male participants in the survey and 48.18% from the production department, a significant association between safety awareness and age group and level of education was found with p-values of 0.013 & 0.032 respectively. Similarly, there was a significant association between safety practice, age group, experience level, and job position with p-values of 0.006, 0.0049 & 0.011, respectively. A positive correlation coefficient value of 0.53 represented a noteworthy positive correlation between safety awareness and practice.
Conclusion: The findings show that workers have a significant level of awareness regarding safety in the workplace. In addition to that, a noteworthy positive correlation was discovered between safety awareness and safety practices inside the selected food and manufacturing companies of Telangana. Subsequent investigations and studies on safety awareness and hazards will enhance the safety climate and culture across the manufacturing industry
Factors associated with low physical activity: a cross-sectional study in workers of a Peruvian clinic
Full text linkIntroduction: Low physical activity in workers is an occupational health problem that significantly increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. This negatively impacts their physical well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was used during the year 2019 to identify the factors associated with low physical activity in 131 health and administrative workers from a Peruvian clinic. Physical activity was evaluated with the instrument "International Physical Activity Questionnaire".
Results: The median age was 37.0 years, and 72.5% were women. The median BMI was 25.6 kg/m2, with overweight and obesity prevalences of 51.9% and 11.5%, respectively, and 13.7% presented low physical activity. The physical workload score was lower in workers with high physical activity (8.6, IQR: 6.9-13.0) compared to moderate physical activity (5.9, IQR: 3.6-9.0) and low physical activity (3.8, IQR: 3.0-4.8). The multivariate analysis showed that the physical workload score was the only variable significantly associated with physical activity.
Conclusion: Having a higher physical workload significantly decreases low physical activity in clinic workers. It is crucial that physical inactivity prevention programs at work encourage standing or walking meetings, ensure ergonomic sit-stand workstations, and allow breaks to break static posture
Enhancing safety climate through occupational safety and health practices mediating by management commitment in the hospital setting
Full text linkIntroduction: Hospitals encounter problems sustaining a favorable safety climate due to their inherent complexity and ongoing needs. This study examines the relationship between occupational safety and health (OSH) practices and safety climates mediated by management commitment in hospitals.
Methods: Data was acquired from 400 healthcare professionals in hospitals in Kathmandu using a structured survey utilizing a cross-sectional quantitative approach. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure representation across different healthcare professional roles in the hospital. The data was collected from February 15, 2023, to April 15, 2023. The complex relationships between OSH practices, management commitment, and safety climate were evaluated by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
Results: The result findings reveal that the safety climate is significantly influenced by OSH practices, as evidenced by a standardized regression weight of 0.75. This result suggests that better OSH practices result in enhanced safety perceptions. Although management commitment also serves as a critical mediating factor, its effect size is lower, indicating that it remains a critical factor despite its less pronounced impact than direct OSH interventions. The safety climate is primarily driven by OSH practices, as confirmed by the validated framework, and their effectiveness is further enhanced by management commitment. The study\u27s uniqueness was that it inspected the mediating role management commitment plays in the relationship between OSH practices and safety climate.
Conclusion: Hospitals should enhance OSH practices and promote management commitment to improving the safety climate. Future studies should examine additional mediators, use longitudinal studies, and analyze several healthcare settings to further investigate safety climate dynamics.
Occupational Health and Safety in the Mahabharata: An Ethical and Historical Perspective
Full text linkThis paper examines how the guidelines of the Mahabharat, an epic, help to enrich Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) mechanisms in the modern context. This research examines the types of works and core ideas of OHS, including duty of care, prevention, and moral responsibility, as mentioned in the text. The study analyses risk factors and clear rules for safety and conduct. The paper answers how the work practices, safety systems, and moral laws in the Mahabharata can help improve OHS today. It explores the epic’s lessons on hazard prevention, mental resilience, and medical care, and examines their relevance in modern safety culture.
The research compares the Mahabharata with current OHS concepts, focusing on safe work practices, preventive healthcare, mental readiness, and the role of moral duty (dharma). It also reveals safety principles found in the text that can be applied to enhance modern safety systems. It examines how the leaders in the workplace discharge their role and responsibilities to protect their team members. It focuses on how one can correlate one\u27s duty with safety and mental strength to obtain success at work. It integrates ancient wisdom with modern science to support modern safety mechanisms. It also highlights the importance of moral values in improving safety culture, offering a more comprehensive approach to protecting health and dignity at work
Prevalence and factors affecting work-related musculoskeletal disorders among faculty members at Northeastern Universities in Thailand
No full textIntroduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a leading cause of disability globally. In Thailand, WMSD incidence is high among people in several occupations. University faculty members who regularly use computers for long hours are an at-risk group. The aim of study is to determine prevalence and risk factors of WMSD for targeted interventions.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study collected data online via Google Forms from 640 university faculty members between November 2023 and March 2024 and analyzed them using a General Linear Mixed Model (GLMM).
Results: This study revealed a 58.9% prevalence of severe and very severe WMSDs in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Significant risk factors of WMDs (p<0.001) included gender, stress, poor posture, and use of non-ergonomic workstations. Women were at 1.94 times greater risk of WMSDs than men. Those with severe stress were 4.80 times more likely to experience WMSDs than people with moderate stress. Faculty with inappropriate postures had a 2.67 times higher risk of WMSDs, and non-ergonomic workstations increased WMSD likelihood by 1.65 times.
Conclusion: The prevalence of severe and very severe WMSDs was almost high, and four factors that contribute to WMSDs among university faculty members are gender, severe stress, poor posture, and use of non-ergonomic workstations. Faculty should be made aware of the high prevalence of WMSDs, take preventative measures in stress management, and use appropriate postures. Universities should provide ergonomic workstations and educate faculty on the risk factors associated with WMSD
Heath impact of xylene exposure on laboratory workers at a selected healthcare facility in Oman
No full textIntroduction: Xylene is a commonly used chemical in medical laboratories for various purposes such as treating tissues, dyeing and covering sliding. However, exposure to xylene can pose potetial health risks for laboratory staff and healthcare professionals. In order to mitigate these risks, a research project has been proposed to investigate the impact of xylene on histology staff in healthcare facilities in Muscat. The study aims to provide alternative preventive measures and safety procedures to ensure laboratory technicians\u27 health and safety. Its primary objective is to assess the potential health impacts of xylene exposure on laboratory and healthcare staff in Oman.
Methods: A close-ended and open-ended questionnaire was designed to collect data from 115 histhopatholgy workers achieving a 100% response rate. The data was analyzed in Excel.
Results: Findings show that exposure to xylene mostly affects the eyes and nose. 21% of participants reported experiencing muscular problems like weakened muscles, loss of coordination, and impaired grip strength. The results also revealed that the third health issue was related to the skin, as 16% of the respondents experienced some form of skin problem due to exposure to xylene, such as skin irritation, itching, peeling, or burns.
Conclusion: Based on the study findings, it is evident that xylene has various negative health effects. Alternative substances instead of xylene, such as d-limonene-based products, olive oil, pine oil, and rose oil, are recommended. These alternatives are environmentally friendly and cost effective, although they may not be as effective as xylene. Therefore, it is essential to implement effective measures that prioritize the well-being of histology staff while working with xylene
Livelihood impacts of job-related illnesses among informal waste workers in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
Full text linkIntroduction: Informal Waste Workers (IWWs) face numerous occupational hazards, including exposure to toxic materials and a lack of safety measures, which can lead to various health issues. This study investigates the prevalence of job-related illnesses among IWWs in Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) and identifies the most common types of illnesses experienced.
Methods: A mixed-method cross-sectional study was performed. The primary data were collected via a survey of 100 IWWs using snowball sampling from November 2022 to January 2023, covering Itinerant Waste Buyers (IWBs), landfill workers, rag pickers, and scrap center workers. Interviews with key informants, including the head of the Solid Waste Management Association of Nepal (SWMAN), Samyukta Safai Jagaran (SASAJA), and waste collection service providers, were conducted. The data was analyzed using SPSS and ALTAS.ti software.
Results: Health issues are prevalent, with 49% of respondents reporting illness in the past year, 69% of which were job-related. Common ailments include headaches, body aches, and fevers. Workers often avoid health checkups due to cost, relying on self-medication. Only 15% received medical benefits from employers, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage was inconsistent, with many reusing gloves found in waste. There was no significant correlation between gender, nationality, and type of waste worker with the likelihood of becoming unwell.
Conclusion: IWWs in KMC face numerous job-related health issues which impact their ability to work. Safety concerns, such as lack of proper medical care and inadequate use of PPE, increase their vulnerability
Impact of ergonomic interventions on musculoskeletal health among Thai para rubber workers: evaluating workstation improvements
Full text linkIntroduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant occupational health issue among rubber plantation workers in Thailand. This study evaluates the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in reducing MSD risks in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to study 96 workers across urban (UA), semi-urban (SA), and rural (RA) areas. Participants were divided into three groups: a control group (RA), a training-only group (SA), and a group receiving both ergonomic training and workstation improvements (UA). Data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool before and after the interventions. Paired sample t-tests were conducted to analyze changes in REBA scores and ergonomic knowledge.
Results: The UA group, which received workstation improvements, showed a significant reduction in REBA scores from 13.22 (very high risk) to 6.47 (medium hazard) (p < 0.001). The SA group exhibited improved training scores (p < 0.005) but no significant reduction in ergonomic risks. The RA group showed no significant changes.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that while ergonomic training improves knowledge, it does not effectively reduce ergonomic risks without corresponding physical modifications to the work environment. Workstation improvements significantly lowered MSD risks in the UA group. These findings suggest that a combined approach of training and environmental interventions is necessary to improve occupational health outcomes in high-risk settings like rubber plantations
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers of buffalo slaughterhouses in Kathmandu, Nepal
Full text linkIntroduction: Slaughterhouse workers experience many health risks. Workers have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) including the most common discomfort located in the upper body parts. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSD and to identify the MSD in relation to age, and work experience amongst workers of a buffalo slaughterhouse in Kathmandu.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in ward number 19 of Kathmandu Municipality from September to October 2023 using a Nordic questionnaire among the workers of twelve buffalo slaughterhouses and included 96 workers by census method.
Results: The prevalence of MSD amongst workers of buffalo slaughterhouses was 30.2%. Most common musculoskeletal disorders in workers were in the lower back (14.6%), followed by the shoulder (13.5%), and neck (11.5%). Age group and work experience were strongly associated with musculoskeletal disorder and pain in the lower back, shoulder, neck, hands/wrists, and ankles/feet.
Conclusion: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is very common among buffalo slaughterhouse workers. These workers were more susceptible to MSD, so we need to propose appropriate preventative strategies to control and reduce the occurrence of these disorders in workers of the buffalo slaughterhouse