Developing a framework of non-fatal occupational injury surveillance for risk control in palm oil mills

Non-fatal occupational injury (NFOI) and its risk factors have become a current global concern. The need of research towards the relationship between occupational injury and its risk factor is essential, to fulfil the purpose and setting the priority of implementing safety preventive approaches at workplace. This research intended to develop a framework of NFOI surveillance by using epidemiological data, noise exposure data and NFOI data among palm oil mills’ workers. A total of 420 respondents who assigned in operation and processing areas (OP) (n=333) and general or office workers (n=87) had voluntary participated in this research. A questionnaire session with respondents was held to obtain epidemiological data and NFOI information via validated questionnaire. Noise hazard monitoring was executed by using Sound Level Meter (SLM) for environmental noise monitoring and Personal Sound Dosimeter for personal noise monitoring. Gathered data were analysed in quantitative method by using statistical software IBM SPSS Statistic version 21 and a risk matrix table for injury risk rating evaluation. It was discovered that high noise exposure level (≥ 85 dB[A]) was significantly associated with non-fatal occupational injury among OP workers (φ=0.123, p<0.05) with OR=1.87 (95% CI, 1.080-3.235, p<0.05). Risk rating for reported NFOI was at moderate level, with minor cuts and scratches were the dominant type of injury (42.6%). Analysis of logistic regression indicated that working in shift, not wearing protective gloves, health problems such as shortness of breath and ringing in ears, and excessive noise level (≥ 85 dB[A]) were the risk factors of NFOI in palm oil mills among OP workers. A framework of nonfatal injury surveillance in palm oil mills was developed based on the findings with integration of risk management process and injury prevention principles. This framework is anticipated to help the management in decision making for preventive actions and early detection of occupational health effects among workers

Prioritizing non-fatal occupational injury prevention using risk matrix assessment among palm oil mills’ workers

Non-fatal occupational injury (NFOI) had becoming a major global concern and its consequences to safety and health would be heavily burdening. The aim of this paper is to assess the risk rating of occupational injury among workers in palm oil mills in order to identify preventive effort that most needed for specific workstation in mill. The NFOI data was gathered via questionnaire among 66 palm oil mills’ workers who reported to had experienced injuries while working. Risk matrix tool was utilized for non-fatal occupational injury risk assessment and prevention. The risk rating of occupational injury was obtained by employing standardized equation involving probability unit and severity unit. The risk rating was categorized as low, moderate, high and subsequently preventive measurements were suggested based on the priority. The highest cases of non-fatal occupational injury were reported to occur at Press Plant (19%) with moderate risk rating. Falling incidences had the highest frequency of occurrences among workers in palm oil mills. The frequent type of injury reported by palm oil mills’ workers was minor cuts and scratches (43%). The risk rating of reported non-fatal occupational injury at palm oil mills was in moderate level. Therefore, directive control and detective control could be proposed as the risk control for workers in palm oil mills. By utilizing risk matrix tools, the intervention needs and priority toward injury prevention among workers in palm oil mills could be determined

Factors of Single Use Plastic Reduction Behavioral Intention

Malaysia had ranked as eighth over the top 20 countries with mismanaged plastic waste. The largest source of this issue was high consumption of single-use plastic by individuals. It is believed that, residents’ social behaviour played a significant role in reducing single-use plastic, which contributed to decreased plastic pollution. Therefore, this study investigates the factors that affect residents’ single-use plastic behavioural intention in Malaysia using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A Quantitative study using survey questionnaire was employed and the total samples were 341 residents in Batu Pahat Johor. All of the data were analysed using regression analysis through Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results show a positive relationship between all variables except for environmental awareness and law and regulation. At the same time, the most influential factor affecting residents’ single-use plastic reducing behavioural intention was the attitude of residents against lower plastic consumption. Future studies were recommended to be conducted in urban areas which could obtain more desired outcomes. Thus, the findings from this research could provide useful and specific information for policy makers to implement effective strategies for protecting the environmental ecosystem in Malaysia. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01275 Full Text: PD

Artificial intelligence (AI)

“Artificial intelligence” is a synthetic term which – due to its suggestive potential – has caused many misunderstandings and false expectations. Its origin can be traced back to the year 1956. This year was important in many aspects. For example, the book “Automata Studies” came out, compiling now famous articles in the field of cybernetics (Shannon & McCarthy, 1956). Since the first appearance of the words “artificial intelligence”, usually associated with John McCarthy’s 1956 Dartmouth Summer Research Project, interest in the topic and research into the development of intelligent machines has seen several ups and downs

TPM: Factors And Barrier Analysis Towards Maintenance efficiency in Manufacturing Industry

Previous studies indicated that the autonomous maintenance barrier factors are affected the maintenance efficiency. However, most of these studies were conducted in the service industry but not in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify the most critical barrier factors towards maintenance efficiency and also to identify the relationship between autonomous maintenance barrier factors and maintenance efficiency in manufacturing industries. Five research hypotheses were examined while considering the autonomous maintenance barrier factors which including lack of top management commitment, lack of training, lack of maintenance knowledge, resistance by employees, and lack of tools and instrument. The findings of this study revealed that lack of tools and instrument is the most critical barrier factor. This quantitative case study is crucial to the manufacturing industry in Malaysia because it provides a broad insight into the correlation between the autonomous maintenance barrier factor and maintenance efficiency

Factors of single use plastic reduction behavioral intention

Malaysia had ranked as eighth over the top 20 countries with mismanaged plastic waste. The largest source of this issue was high consumption of single-use plastic by individuals. It is believed that, residents’ social behaviour played a significant role in reducing single-use plastic, which contributed to decreased plastic pollution. Therefore, this study investigates the factors that affect residents’ single-use plastic behavioural intention in Malaysia using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A Quantitative study using survey questionnaire was employed and the total samples were 341 residents in Batu Pahat Johor. All of the data were analysed using regression analysis through Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results show a positive relationship between all variables except for environmental awareness and law and regulation. At the same time, the most influential factor affecting residents’ single-use plastic reducing behavioural intention was the attitude of residents against lower plastic consumption. Future studies were recommended to be conducted in urban areas which could obtain more desired outcomes. Thus, the findings from this research could provide useful and specific information for policy makers to implement effective strategies for protecting the environmental ecosystem in Malaysia

Psychosocial Workplace Hazards and Workers' Health in Factory Sector

Nowadays, issues on psychosocial workplace hazards have become a hot topic. However, only a small amount of research has been conducted in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between psychosocial workplace hazards and workers' health which is measured using Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as mental health. Two research hypotheses related to psychosocial workplace hazards, i.e. Body Mass Index (BMI) and mental health were examined. In this study, 105 workers were selected randomly from factories located in Klang, Selangor, and questionnaires were distributed to them. The result revealed that there is a significant relationship between psychosocial workplace hazards and BMI, while there is no significant relationship between psychosocial workplace hazards and mental health. This study serves as a guideline for organisations concerning the relationship between psychosocial workplace hazards with workers' health

Exposure Assessment, Neurobehavioral Performances and Effectiveness of Health Promotion Program Among Automotive Workers Exposed to Organic Solvent.

This study investigates the level of exposure, neurobehavioral performances and the effectiveness of health promotion program among automotive workers exposed to organic solvents. The trend of toluene concentrations and neurobehavioral scores were determined over 4 years. The knowledge, attitude and practices towards organic solvents handling among workers were assessed and the changes were evaluated through a health promotion program. Neurobehavioral performances using the WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) were conducted among 48 comparative cross-sectional workers in the Paint Shop Department. The personal air exposure was monitored using the SKC 575 Series Passive Sampler. Urine was collected at the end of shift work for biological monitoring. All 280 workers in the department filled up a socio-demographic knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) questionnaire for quasi experimental study. One hundred and four of them volunteered to participate in the health promotion program and they were classified as the intervention group. The rest who had not participate were classified as the comparative group (n=176). Post-intervention assessment was carried out 2 weeks after the program, followed by a 3 months follow-up assessment. The mean personal air toluene concentrations and urinary hippuric acid concentrations in 2008 were significantly lower (p<0.001) than in 2004. The mean standard score for NCTB tests were also significantly higher in 2008 compared to 2004 with the exception of the Santa Ana Manual Dexterity Test. Respondents had poor knowledge scores on solvent hazards and poor practices (<80%). There were significant higher scores of knowledge (p<0.001) and practices (p<0.05) among the intervention group after the program had been introduced. The intervention group had significantly higher scores in knowledge than the comparative group at the post-intervention phase (p<0.001). After a 3 months follow-up, there were significantly better scores in knowledge (p<0.001) and practices (p<0.001) for the intervention group. Findings showed that practices was influenced by the section employment as reflected by the length of time they had been working in various sections of the Paint Department. The engineering and administrative controls as the preventive measures in the department were effective in lowering the organic solvents exposure as indicated by the improvement in scores in most of the test items in the NCTB. However, as shown by the Santa Ana Manual Dexterity Test, the chronic exposure to organic solvents worsens the peripheral function which was irreversible. A health promotion as a primary prevention to solvents had improved workers’ knowledge and practices but not the attitude. The working experiences and peer group interactions had contributed to their work practices. Knowledge retention was seen after 3 months follow-up and the workers maintained safe work practices. Further medical check-up and clinical diagnosis of nervous system impairment should be carried out among respondents who was detected with the lower performance in manual dexterity. Implementation of a routine health promotion program of at least 3 months interval period is recommended in promoting a healthy, safe and quality work environment. Improved evaluation on the health promotion program and the influencing factors such as work climate and culture should be focused for the development of future program. Keywords: Organic solvents, neurobehavioral performances, health promotion program, knowledge, attitude and practices, automotive worker

Preliminary Study on Non-Fatal Occupational Injury among Operational Workers in Malaysia Palm Oil Mill

Non-fatal occupational injury had becoming major global concern and its consequences to safety and health would be heavily burdening. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the distribution of non-fatal occupational injury among specific group of workers in palm oil mill and to acknowledge potential factors of injury causation. A questionnaire survey was designed to assess injury involvement during the employment period among operational workers of palm oil mill located in Southern Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty three (n= 33) workers volunteered and completed the questionnaire. Prevalence of injury among palm oil mill workers was 39.4% with sprain and burn were the common types of injury reported. Press Plant workers reported to have high cases of injuries. Majority of workers (78.8%) stated noise was the main hazard in the palm oil mill, followed by heat hazard. Press Plant was identified as one of the specific risk group in palm oil mill based on the rate of injury occurrences reported by the workers. Exposure to noise hazard was estimated to be one of the potential factors of injury causation and further study should be made to measure the risk of hazard

Preliminary Study on Non-Fatal Occupational Injury among Operational Workers in Malaysia Palm Oil Mill

Non-fatal occupational injury had becoming major global concern and its consequences to safety and health would be heavily burdening. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the distribution of non-fatal occupational injury among specific group of workers in palm oil mill and to acknowledge potential factors of injury causation. A questionnaire survey was designed to assess injury involvement during the employment period among operational workers of palm oil mill located in Southern Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty three (n= 33) workers volunteered and completed the questionnaire. Prevalence of injury among palm oil mill workers was 39.4% with sprain and burn were the common types of injury reported. Press Plant workers reported to have high cases of injuries. Majority of workers (78.8%) stated noise was the main hazard in the palm oil mill, followed by heat hazard. Press Plant was identified as one of the specific risk group in palm oil mill based on the rate of injury occurrences reported by the workers. Exposure to noise hazard was estimated to be one of the potential factors of injury causation and further study should be made to measure the risk of hazard