International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (nepjol.info)
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Relationship between potential ergonomic hazard factors and musculoskeletal disorders in Nipah leaf crafters in Terjun Village, Indonesia
Full text linkIntroduction: Nipah leaf crafters regularly perform tasks involving awkward postures—such as sitting on the floor without back support—repetitive hand movements, manual handling of Nipah leaves and sticks, and working in a physically uncomfortable environment. These factors present potential ergonomic hazards that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), often manifesting as pain in various body parts. This study aimed to identify potential ergonomic hazards and the presence of MSDs, as well as to analyze their relationship.
Methods: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design and involved 35 Nipah leaf crafters. Potential ergonomic hazards were measured using a standardized checklist, and musculoskeletal disorders were assessed using a survey based on Appendices D and B of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 9011:2021. The research utilized univariate and bivariate methods, and relationship between ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal outcomes was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: Common ergonomic hazards identified included awkward postures, repetitive motion, lifting, poor lighting, and exposure to solar heat. Twenty-two participants (62.90%) were classified as "requiring further observation." Reports of MSDs varied in frequency and severity across body regions, with 21 individuals (60.00%) categorized as low-risk. A statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) was found between potential ergonomic hazards and the incidence of MSDs.
Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need to address occupational health risks among Nipah leaf crafters to prevent MSDs, promote worker health, and improve productivity
Perceived effectiveness of near-miss reporting on proactive safety performance in construction: A mixed-methods study from India
Full text linkIntroduction: Construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries involving 5.5 millions work-related accidents and nearly 60,000 fatalities every year across the world. Near-Miss Reporting Systems (NMRS) is one of the proactive safety management options to identify hazards prior to any major accidents contributing to injury prevention. Although they are increasingly being adopted, the performance of NMRS in construction has never been exhaustively studied. This research evaluated the perceived effectiveness of the NMRS among construction employees and tested its relationship with other safety management practices and outcomes.
Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, and correlational research design was used, gathering data from 475 construction workers in 18 Indian units and five-year accident and near-miss reporting trends. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation, and linear regression were applied to evaluate worker perceptions of NMRS effectiveness, safety interventions, and safety performance, as well as the relationship between accident and near-miss reporting trends.
Results: The analysis demonstrated NMRS\u27s effectiveness in boosting safety awareness, preventing accidents [84.5% affirmation], and increasing job satisfaction [84.6% affirmation]. This effectiveness was strongly linked to robust safety management practices, including an open safety culture [r=0.56], regular safety audits [r=0.22], and employee engagement [r=0.16]. Critically, higher near-miss reporting frequencies correlated negatively with accident rates , signifying a proactive role of NMRS in reduction in incidents.
Conclusion: NMRS effectiveness is closely tied to safety culture and management practices. Integrating NMRS into broader safety frameworks enhances construction site safety outcomes
Drivers’ safety from the perspective of integrated triangular assessment of human, environmental, and vehicle factors on Nepal’s major highways
No full textIntroduction: Drivers’ safety is a critical concern of road safety particularly in the context of Nepal’s major highways. This has threatened by a triangular interaction of human (driver), environmental and vehicle-related factors. Despite regulatory frameworks and alignment with global initiatives, Nepal records disproportionately high fatality rates of 15.9 per 100,000 population, above the South Asia regional average. Young and economically active drivers are particularly vulnerable, while poor infrastructure, rapid motorization, and weak vehicle inspection systems intensify risks. In light of above facts, this study is aimed to assess the multidimensional determinants affecting safety of the drivers across Nepal’s major highways, in prospect to human, environmental and vehicle-related factors.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied to assess determinants of drivers’ safety. Secondary crash data from Nepal Police (2016–2025) were combined with road infrastructure audits and surveys. Field assessments examined road geometry, pavement conditions, and signage, while 155 structured surveys and key stakeholder interviews (traffic police, policy maker, implementer, and residents) provided insights into driver behaviour and challenges. Spatial analysis using Kernel Density Estimation and Moran’s I identified high-risk crash hotspots.
Results: Findings reveal that over-speeding, fatigue, alcohol use, and limited driving experience significantly increase the risks to crash and driver. Environmental factor includes, poor road geometry, degraded pavement, inadequate lighting, and monsoon-induced landslides further compromise safety. Vehicle-related factors such as overloading, brake failures, and poor maintenance undermine drivers’ control. Corridor-level analysis highlights Banepa (Araniko Highway) and Chisapani (East–West Highway) as critical risk zones, while the Prithvi Highway shows dispersed crash patterns linked to fatigue and weak barriers.
Conclusion: Driver safety on Nepal’s highways is the interplay of human (driver) health and behaviour, infrastructure flaws, and vehicle condition. It requires tailored interventions based on specific corridor patterns. Key measures include strengthening governance, upgrading road and vehicle standards and tackling issues like fatigue and risky driving. A comprehensive, well-enforced strategy is essential to prevent crashes and improve safety performance
Unveiling mental health memes: impact on employees’ well-being amid workload and occupational stress
Full text linkIntroduction: Occupational health concerns employees’ physical and mental well-being in the workplace. Common mental illnesses such as stress, anxiety, and depressive disorders constitute a growing threat to workplace well-being and the ability to meet demanding performance standards. In recent years, social media has played an important role in increasing the prominence of mental health memes, which serve as vehicles for the dissemination of mental health information with comedy and sarcasm. Despite the prevalence of mental health memes, we have a limited understanding of how these internet memes are interpreted in working contexts, particularly among employees with mental health difficulties. The objective was to explore whether employees in the workplace setting experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression interpret mental health memes differently from control memes.
Methods: As the first study to examine how symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression may influence the interpretation of mental health memes at the workplace, we consider this to be an exploratory investigation with no a-priori hypotheses. This study investigated the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression among forty-six employees (mean age 33, range 24-49, and 63.04% male) from administrative and the academic block of a private University, Dehradun in a workplace setting, along with their perceptions of mental health memes (related to stress, anxiety, and depression) compared to non-mental health memes (i.e., control memes depicting general social commentary). Twenty employees with clinically significant mental health symptoms (indicating ≥6 for depression, ≥5 for anxiety, ≥9 for stress on the DASS scale) and twenty controls (≤4 for depression, ≤3 for anxiety, ≤7 for stress) rated twelve mental health and control memes for relatability, humor, shareability, and feel-good potential.
Results: The findings indicate that in a workplace setting, employees with symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression rated mental health memes as more relatable than the control group. However, there were no significant differences in terms of humor, shareability, or their potential to improve mood. In addition, no significant difference was observed in these factors for control memes.
Conclusion: Despite their predominantly negative connotation, online memes about mental health may have the potential to offer benefits to employees who are employed and consistently exhibit indicators of mental health issues within the workplace
Prevention of hearing loss among marble industrial worker: Outcome of educational intervention on awareness
Full text linkIntroduction: There is a high prevalence of hearing loss among marble and stone industry workers. Noise is the most pernicious industrial contaminant that affects every industry and results in significant hearing loss throughout the world. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of self instructional module on knowledge regarding prevention of hearing loss among marble industrial worker in selected marble industries.
Methods: A total of 120 marble industrial workers were selected by using a purposive sampling technique under a pre-experimental research design (one group pre-test and post-test). The research setting was selected marble industries at Udaipur Rajasthan. The instrument used for the study was a knowledge questionnaire.
Results: The study revealed that the mean post-test knowledge score (23.59) was greater than the mean pre-test score (7.26). In addition, the mean difference between pre-test and post test score was 16.33. The paired t-test knowledge score is 36.24 is significant at a 0.05% level. This indicates that the educational intervention was effective in increasing the knowledge level regarding prevention of hearing loss among marble industry worker.
Conclusion: There was an improvement in knowledge after educational intervention. Knowledge level was not associated with the demographic variables of the participants. The study suggests that periodical educational intervention is much needed for prevention of hearing loss among marble industry workers
Carcinogenic chemicals used in selected industries and agriculture sectors in Tanzania. A descriptive study
No full textIntroduction: In Tanzania, there are 50,000 cancer cases reported annually, and this number is projected to double by 2030. Workplace exposure to carcinogens may be a contributing factor to cancer risk. However, there is limited knowledge about the presence and use of carcinogenic chemicals at workplaces in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to describe the presence of carcinogens in chemical agents used in industry and agriculture sectors in Tanzania.
Methods: Data about chemicals used in industries and agriculture in Tanzania were extracted from the databases of two government regulatory authorities: the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) and the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticide Authority (TPHPA). The chemicals were evaluated based on the presence of carcinogens in groups 1, 2A, 2B and 3 according to the classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Results: A total of 2907 chemicals were assessed from the industries. Five percent of the chemicals were carcinogens. The cement industry had the highest proportion of chemicals containing carcinogens, accounting for approximately 14%. Formaldehyde was the most frequently occurring Group 1 carcinogen, present in 45% of the industries studied. Additionally, out of the 1855 pesticides assessed, 2% were found to contain carcinogens.
Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of carcinogens in chemicals within industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides in Tanzania. It indicates that workers employed in these workplaces could potentially be at risk of carcinogen exposure, which necessitates the implementation of regulatory measures
An observational study on the prevalence of hearing loss among construction workers in South Chennai
Full text linkIntroduction: The construction industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. Noise levels are considered hazardous when they reach 85 decibels or higher. Hearing loss adversely affects both the quality of life and the risk of damage. The study\u27s primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of hearing loss among construction workers, and the secondary objective was to assess the factors associated with hearing loss among construction workers in the urban area of Chennai.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 100 construction workers who were chosen by simple random sampling from February to July 2024. A comprehensive Ear Nose Throat and otoscopic examination were done. Using Pure Tone Audiometry, the degree and type of hearing loss were assessed. Problems, if any, were identified and treated accordingly. Data was input into a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. The data analysis tool utilized was SPSS version 21. Fischer’s exact test and the Chi-square test were used to determine the degree of association. p-values below 0.05 were regarded as significant.
Results: The mean age was 36 ± 10 years. Most of them n=73 (73%) were literate. The mean exposure was 15 ± 8 years. Most of the study population n=68 (68%) did not use any PPE. Only 21 of them (21%) had symptoms of earache, hard of hearing, or tinnitus. Almost 79 of them (79%) had no such symptoms. Almost 84 participants (84%) had normal ear examinations. Out of the 11 who complained of being hard of hearing, 2 were diagnosed with unilateral conductive hearing loss, and 9 were diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The majority who used PPE were aged <30 years n=15 (46.9%), among them about n=29 (90.6%) were literate and 93.8% were employed for <20 years in construction sites. Factors like age, education, and years of occupation were found to be associated with PPE use among the study population. Factors like age, educational status, years of occupation, and use of PPE were found to be significantly associated with hearing loss by Fischer’s exact test.
Conclusion: Factors contributing to hearing loss among construction workers are age, education, years of exposure, and PPE use. Periodical ear checkups and use of PPE like ear plugs must be insisted among people working in noisy environment
Evaluating Occupational Health and Safety Conditions among Security Guards in a Ghanaian Public University
Full text linkIntroduction: The occupational health and safety (OHS) issues at academic institutions have received little attention, especially regarding the security staff who face specific job-related risks. This paper examines the safety climate, risk exposures, and occupational health and safety (OHS) policies among security guards at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to October 2023, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Structured questionnaires, including the validated NOSACQ-50 tool, observational checklists, and expert-led risk assessments, were used in data collecting. The study comprised 162 security guards with a minimum of one year of experience. The relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and safety outcomes was evaluated using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses.
Results: With a mean score of 2.25 ± 0.17, the general safety climate was judged to be poor; management\u27s safety commitment and communication received especially low ratings. Among the main occupational hazards were psychological risks (67.8%), environmental exposures (76.2%), and ergonomic stresses (87.7%). Among the frequently mentioned health issues were occupational stress (86.4%) and low back pain (74.0%). Only 23.5% of participants regularly reported exposures; hence, reporting of occupational injuries was less than ideal. High-risk areas identified by risk assessments as needing immediate mitigation included musculoskeletal injuries, stress, and insect bites.
Conclusion: Overall, the report exposes notable shortcomings in the OHS infrastructure and security environment for Ghanaian university staff. To ensure a safer workplace for security personnel, effective training, managerial commitment, policy implementation, and risk-reduction techniques are urgently needed
Ergonomic design of fertilizer application equipment to enhance the health and safety of Thai coffee farmers
No full textIntroduction: Thai coffee farmers are prone to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, and awkward postures. This study evaluated the impact of prototype fertilizing equipment on reducing ergonomic risks among farmers.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pre–post study assessed ergonomic risks in six body regions using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. Data were collected during actual fertilizer application, both before and after one month of equipment use. The “worst” postures were captured via photos and videos over the course of this one month. Basic demographic information was recorded for 30 purposively selected coffee farmers aged 25–50 years in Ban Nam Ki, Nan Province.
Results: The results revealed a significant reduction in ergonomic risks, with total REBA scores dropping from 8.83 (SD = 1.14) before equipment use to 3.63 (SD = 0.47) after use (p < 0.001). Significant improvements occurred in the neck, trunk, legs, and upper arms (all p < 0.001), while the lower arm showed little change and the wrist slightly worsened. These changes may relate to equipment design or specific tasks. Overall, the proportion of high-risk postures decreased to 13.3% from 86.7% of low-risk postures, indicating substantial ergonomic safety gains.
Conclusion: The prototype fertilizing equipment proved effective in reducing overall ergonomic risks, as evidenced by improvements in REBA scores and a more even distribution of risk levels. Although wrist strain increased slightly, the overall reduction in risk highlights the positive impact on farmer health and safety. Future improvements to equipment design should focus on addressing wrist strain to further enhance ergonomic benefits