A case study: Chemical health risk assessment in three footwear small industries in Bogor-Indonesia year 2019.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the health risks related to the use of chemicals among workers in small footwear factories. METHODS: This was a descriptive case study conducted in three selected small footwear factories located in Ciomas, Bogor, Indonesia. The assessment was conducted using the chemical health risk assessment method by the Department of Safety and Health Malaysia Year 2018. RESULTS: Results showed that the level of risk of chemicals through inhalation fell on the moderate and high-risk categories, indicating that high exposure could lead to carcinogenic effects. Dermal exposure was categorised as moderate risk, causing such health effects as skin and eye irritation. CONCLUSION: Factory X, Y, and Z have been found to have a significant risk of hazardous chemical exposure (i.e., benzene and toluene), specifically at the glueing stations, either from inhalation or dermal contact.

Ergonomic assessment in metal-based small industries in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, 2019.

OBJECTIVE: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a major role in economic growth and employment, and they come with a greater risk of work-related illnesses for workers. Metal-based SMEs are recognised as the sector with the most demanding physical work activities and awkward postures, which are considered risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study analysed the risk factors of MSDs associated with different work postures during production. METHODS: Body postures were examined using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, and the data on musculoskeletal symptoms were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). RESULTS: The results were calculated using the REBA method to determine the level of risk of various postures, namely, low risk (3.6%), medium risk (25.0%), high risk (60.7%), and very high risk (10.7%). The NMQ results indicated that most of the symptoms and discomfort were in the lower back (65%), wrist (45%), shoulder (35%), and ankle (35%) regions. CONCLUSIONS: The physical factors contributed more to the musculoskeletal symptoms in the body regions affected. The use of tools in lifting activities could decrease the level of risk.

Risk Perception of COVID-19 in Indonesia During the First Stage of the Pandemic.

Community perceptions of early-stage pandemics may have significant implications for subsequent disease control and management. Perceptions of COVID-19 among Indonesian citizens were assessed 2 months after the first reported case in the country. The study used an online survey tool, which was adapted from a standardized questionnaire for risk perception of an infectious disease outbreak. The questions of the survey involved respondents' perceived level of knowledge, preparedness, efficacy of control measures, newness, infectiousness, seriousness, motivating and hindering factors, and effectiveness of prevention methods, as well as questions that assessed actual level of knowledge of respondents such as causative agents, modes of transmission, number of total cases, and available control measures. A total of 1,043 respondents participated in this study. The main sources of information of respondents were social media (85.2%) and online news (82.2%). Nearly all respondents were aware that COVID-19 is a viral disease with saliva droplets (97.1%) and contaminated surfaces (86.5%) being its main modes of transmission. Participants showed a good level of knowledge pertaining to control measures, an adequate level of belief toward their efficacy, and a willingness to implement such measures. More than 95% of the respondents perceived COVID-19 to be either serious or very serious. However, the level of anxiety among respondents was moderate, suggesting the presence of risk tolerance in the community. Individual characteristics such as gender, educational background, and occupation were found to have a statistically significant relationship with risk perception and tolerance, but voluntary participation in control measures was high and similar. This indicates that the COVID-19 health campaign during early pandemic in Indonesia was a success. This research also revealed certain areas where health promotion, education, and awareness might be improved.

Ergonomic assessment in metal-based small industries in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, 2019

Objective: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a major role in economic growth and employment, and they come with a greater risk of work-related illnesses for workers. Metal-based SMEs are recognised as the sector with the most demanding physical work activities and awkward postures, which are considered risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study analysed the risk factors of MSDs associated with different work postures during production. Methods: Body postures were examined using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, and the data on musculoskeletal symptoms were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Results: The results were calculated using the REBA method to determine the level of risk of various postures, namely, low risk (3.6%), medium risk (25.0%), high risk (60.7%), and very high risk (10.7%). The NMQ results indicated that most of the symptoms and discomfort were in the lower back (65%), wrist (45%), shoulder (35%), and ankle (35%) regions. Conclusions: The physical factors contributed more to the musculoskeletal symptoms in the body regions affected. The use of tools in lifting activities could decrease the level of risk. (AU)

A case study: Chemical health risk assessment in three footwear small industries in Bogor-Indonesia year 2019

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the health risks related to the use of chemicals among workers in small footwear factories. Methods: This was a descriptive case study conducted in three selected small footwear factories located in Ciomas, Bogor, Indonesia. The assessment was conducted using the chemical health risk assessment method by the Department of Safety and Health Malaysia Year 2018. Results: Results showed that the level of risk of chemicals through inhalation fell on the moderate and high-risk categories, indicating that high exposure could lead to carcinogenic effects. Dermal exposure was categorised as moderate risk, causing such health effects as skin and eye irritation. Conclusion: Factory X, Y, and Z have been found to have a significant risk of hazardous chemical exposure (i.e., benzene and toluene), specifically at the glueing stations, either from inhalation or dermal contact. (AU)