Safety Management in Workplace: Case study in produce process of coconut sugar

Abstract

This research aimed to study working posture concerning work safety and ergonomics risk assessment in coconut sugar process. Samples were selected by purposive sampling. Industrial hygiene instruments were used to measure light, WBGT, PM10, PM2.5, CO and TVOCs. RULA and REBA worksheets were used to assess working posture. The data was analyzed and reported using frequency, percentage, standard deviation and Pearson correlation.

The results showed that the ergonomics risk assessment with RULA in coconut sugar simmering and hand truck pushing to rest the coconut sugar on the tray were highrisk ( score level= 4 : start to have problem, need further investigation and improve immediately). The RULA results in coconut sugar filling, QC and packing are medium risk (score 3 further investigation and change may be needed). The ergonomics risk assessment with REBA in coconut sugar simmering was very high risk (score level = 5: require improvement immediately). The REBA results in The hand truck pushing to bring the coconut sugar to rest on the tray and fiilling coconut sugar into package were high to very high risk (score level = 4- 5: need further investigation and improved immediately) The final step of quality control and packing ware medium risk, (score level = 3: need further investigation and should be improved).

The assessment results of WBGT, PM10, PM2.5 and CO in this working area ware compliance with the standards whereas the obtained lighting results (17.4-149.3 lux)  ware lower than the standard (200-300 lux). The average TVOCs concentrations ware 236.3 ppb (moderate level) at first position and 115.5 ppb (good level) at second position. The accidents occurred from falling, objects thrown into eyes, injury from sharp objects and struck by solid objects. The results gained from Pearson correlation coefficient showed that behavior of using PPE had a significantly moderate relationship with objects thrown into eyes (r=.548, p<.05), highly relationship with injury from sharp objects (r=.764, p<.01) and struck by solid objects (r=.721, p<.01). Heavy lifting has significantly moderate relationship with injury from sharp objects (r=.655, p<.01) and struck by solid objects (r=.617, p<.05).