Comparison of three semi-quantitative methods for assessing occupational health risk in a mechanic processing enterprise / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the applicability of three semi-quantitative methods for risk assessment for occupational health in a mechanic processing enterprise. METHODS: The judgment sampling method was used to select a mechanic processing enterprise as the study subject. The occupational health risk was evaluated using contact ratio, exponential and comprehensive exponential analyzing method, and the results of different methods were compared. RESULTS: The occupational health risk level of all the posts in sandblasting, sawing, welding, grinding and painting in the mechanic processing enterprises were of moderate risk or above. The consistency of evaluation results of the contact ratio, exponential and comprehensive exponential methods was poor(weighted Kappa=0.30, P>0.05). The consistency of exponential and comprehensive exponential methods was excellent(weighted Kappa=1.00, P<0.01). When the contact concentration(E)/occupational exposure limits(OEL) is <0.50, the contact ratio method is less than or equal to the exponential method and the comprehensive exponential method. When 0.50 ≤E/OEL<2.00, the results of these three methods are consistent. When the E/OEL ≥2.00, the evaluation result of the contact ratio method is equal to or higher than the exponential method and the comprehensive exponential method.CONCLUSION: The contact ratio method is easy to obtain, simple and convenient. The exponential method is suitable for occupational disease risk factors in the workplace without OELs or unable to obtain test data, and it is more practical. The comprehensive exponential method is considered comprehensive and suitable for occupational health risk assessment in the workplace.