Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 177 in total

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  1. Abdul Hadi H
    MyJurnal
    A cross sectional study was conducted among tea plantation workers in Cameron Highlands from July to December 2006 to study the prevalence of low back pain and factors associated with it. One hundred and six tea plantation field workers participated in the study. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. Time motion studies were also conducted for 3 different job categories. The prevalence of back pain experienced throughout their work in the plantation was 81.1% and the prevalence of low
    back pain experienced in the past 12 months was 64.2%. Feeling the need to work as fast as possible was a significant predictor of low back pain and increased the risk by 3.5 times, therefore it is suggested that both the management and workers give serious attention to this particular aspect to reduce the incidence of low back pain.
  2. Abdul Halim Imaduddin, Abdul Hamid Nor Hanani
    MyJurnal
    The research is focus generally to identify and investigate the issue of accessible design for wheelchair users on selected Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) commuter stations in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The objectives are to ensure that the design of accessibility is comply with the law, regulations, standard requirements and guidelines; to understand the recent condition and their needs in commuter stations and to allow their secure equal rights and opportunities as others. The research began by gaining reliable information through literature study and a checklist for building audit was prepared to evaluate the accessibility. A building access survey was carried out on selected stations which enclosed three main stages to show the pattern of passengers’ path. Stage 1: From the road to the ticket counter. Stage 2: From the ticket counter to the platform. Stage 3: From the platform to the train. A series of structured questionnaire was also constructed to study and get a feedback from selected target of users. Result of findings in this study had been analyzed to assist the management and the station concerned in upgrading their station facilities to a comfortable, accessible, friendly and safe environment in order to encourage more users, including disabled persons to benefit from it.
  3. Rosli Abu Bakar, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail, Norfadzilah Jusoh, Abdul Mutalib Leman
    MyJurnal
    This paper discuss thermal comfort studies of an under air conditioning in hot and humid climate which at one of the higher institution in East Coast of Malaysia. Indoor thermal environment is important as it affects the health and productivity of building occupants. The paper reports on an experimental investigation of indoor thermal comfort characteristics under the control of air conditioning. Firstly, the well known Fanger’s thermal comfort model was simplified for the current experimental investigation. This is followed by reporting the experimental results of indoor thermal comfort characteristics under the control of temperature, with eight different of temperatures which are 22oC to 29oC. Finally, indoor thermal comfort was merely affected by the increment ventilation and outdoor climate. PMV value was higher when near from the window because of the effects of the wall radiations and the metabolic heat.
  4. Umi Kalthsom Parjo, Norshuhaila Mohamed Sunar, Abdul Mutalib Leman
    MyJurnal
    Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be described as the quality of air weather inside or surrounding the buildings and structures
    which are associated with the health and comfort ability of occupants in the buildings. The level of IAQ in buildings can be influenced
    by microbial contaminants activities, chemicals exposure and allergens that seriously can create health effects to the building’s
    occupants. In the present study, the effect of environmental factors such as temperature and relative humidity on the optimum growth
    of Aspergillus niger (A. niger) was investigated. The study revealed that the optimal fungal growth of up 43mm in diameter was
    evidenced under room temperature of 30oC at the end of a five day incubation period. However, the relative humidity from 40% to 90%
    applied is able to support the growth of the A.niger. The relative humidity of 90% shows the optimal effect where 56 mm of diameter
    growth happened after 5 days of incubation. The significant finding to emerge from this study is that environmental factors such as
    temperature and relative humidity do affect the growth of A.niger. The optimal temperature and relative humidity for A.niger to grow
    are 30oC and 90%, respectively.
  5. Suhaily Amran, Ahmad Sayuti Zainal Abidin, Shoffian Amin Jaafar, Mohd Talib Latif, Abdul Mutalib Leman
    MyJurnal
    There are several alternative sampling and analytical methods available for the determination of respirable
    crystalline silica exposure among workers. The commonly used ones are, (1) NIOSH Manual Analytical Method
    No.7500(NMAM 7500) which is Silica, crystalline, by X-ray difractometer via filter deposition(NIOSH 2003), and
    (2) MDHS 101 (Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances (MDHS) Guidance No.101: Respirable
    crystalline silica in respirable airborne dust). The aim of this study is to compare applicability of respirable crystalline
    silica sampling and analysis between method MDHS 101 and NMAM 7500. Laboratory procedures will be performed
    strictly based on MDHS 101 and NMAM 7500. Both methods apply X-ray diffraction as analytical technique with
    many variations on sampling techniques and laboratory preparations. Quality assurance values such as detection
    limits, accuracy and precision are derived from both data and will be compared to determine which of the method
    establishes better quality assurance. The method which establishes better quality assurance will be recommend to be
    used in Malaysian respirable crystalline silica monitoring programme. The strength of this research lies on its potential
    to provide local capabilities in analysis of respirable crystalline silica in Malaysian setting.
  6. Roseni Abdul Aziz, Mat Rebi Abdul Rani, Jafri Mohd Rohani, Ademola James Adeyemi
    MyJurnal
    Studies have identified working postures as a major risk factors associated with Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in industries. This study investigated the prevalence of WMSD among assembly workers in Malaysia and how psychosocial factors such as personal values and workers relationship with family and superior are associated with discomfort and pain. A survey was conducted among 127 workers at assembly process in the manufacturing industry. The workers were aged 28.74±6.74 years and 64.6% of them were males. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of workplace factors on WMSD at different body regions. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to investigate association between psychosocial factors and occurrence of discomfort and pain. Only occupation and job activities revealed any significant different with WMSD in the major body regions while there was no significant difference in gender, age and work duration classifications. Shoulder painis the most prevalent in terms of frequency and intensity of occurrence. Psychosocial issues that have to do with person values, effect of job on family relationship and workers rapport with superiors are all found to be associated with the discomfort and pain among the occupational group. Employers and concerned government agencies need to take more proactive steps in tackling the problem as the occurrence of WMSD will have a significant effect on the overall wellbeing of the working population.
  7. Rebi, M.A.M., Zein, R.M., Aziz, R.A., Tamilselvan, H.K., Azis, N.A., Mali, M.N., et al.
    MyJurnal
    This study is carried out to establish the prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among
    the Malaysian workforce population in order to propose some measures to benefit the people at large. Secondary data
    from three studies among drivers, clerical workers using visual display terminals (VDT) and fabrication workers were
    used to report the prevalence of MSDs and the associated risk factors. The study identified high prevalence of MSDs in
    multiple body regions. The MSD occurrence was also significantly associated with psychosocial factors. There is need
    for organisations to consider such factors in work design, which will reduce the high prevalence and high financial
    implications associated with MSDs among workers.
  8. Fauziah Nordin, Quek Kia Fatt, Agus Salim M Banon
    MyJurnal
    This study aimed to validate the Malay Version of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire for Malaysian use and application for assessing psychosocial work environment factors. Validity and Reliability were studied in 50 staff nurses of Hospital Selayang. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by calculating the percentage of sensitivity and specificity at the different score level. Both percentage of sensitivity against specificity were plotted to produce a ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) curve, and score 52 has the highest both sensitivity and specificity was used as an overall index that expresses the probability that measure the psychosocial problems. For reliability purposes, a descriptive of Test-Retest Mean Scores and Paired Sample T-Test and the coefficient-correlation test were calculated. The Test-Retest Mean Scores and Paired Sample T-Test for all 26 scales were calculated and showed statistically not significant. The reliability of the questionnaire and its 26 scales was assessed by using Pearson (r) (overall questionnaire r within a range of 0.00 to 1.00). The COPSOQ appears to be a reliable and responsive measure of workers for Malaysian use and can be applied for assessing psychosocial work environment factors.
  9. Jefferelli S.B., Rampal K.G., Aziz A.J., Agus Salim M.B.
    MyJurnal
    How people perceive risk influences their behaviour towards these risks. We do not know how workers perceive risk of dying from activities or technology. This study was conducted among 198 workers of a security company in Malaysia. The workers were asked to score on a Likert scale of 1 to 5 the perceived risk of death of Malaysians from activities and technology. The highest perceived risks of death were, in order of ranking, motorcycles, motor vehicles, handguns, alcoholic beverages and smoking. The difference in perception and reality is discussed.
  10. Ahmad Fauzi Awang
    MyJurnal
    Kerosakan lif penumpang yang sering berlaku di rumah pangsa kos rendah merupakan salah satu isu utama di JKKP Wilayah Persekutuan. Statistik menunjukkan bilangan rumah pangsa paling tinggi terletak di Wilayah Persekutuan. Ini bermakna bilangan lif di rumah pangsa kos rendah adalah tertinggi di Wilayah Persekutuan berbanding negeri – negeri lain. Satu kajian ‘Field Labarotary’ telah dijalankan diperingkat JKKP Wilayah Persekutuan bagi mencari punca permasalahan ini dan seterusnya mencadangkan penambahbaikan berdasarkan kepada permasalahan yang telah dikenalpasti. Kajian ini merangkumi beberapa tindakan seperti mengadakan dialog dengan wakil penghuni rumah pangsa kos rendah di sekitar Wilayah Persekutuan bagi mengenalpasti masalah-masalah yang dihadapi oleh penghuni runmah pangsa kos rendah, penyediaan senarai semak pemeriksaan lif bagi mengenalpasti masalah – masalah teknikal, mengadakan perjumpaan dengan wakil syarikat – syarikat lif bagi mendapatkan data – data yang diperlukan daripada firma – firma kompetan lif dan pengurusan lif di rumah pangsa kos rendah dan menjalankan operasi khas pemeriksaan lif di 409 unit lif yang beroperasi di rumah pangsa kos rendah bagi mengenalpasti kelemahan – kelemahan pada lif yang sedang beroperasi. Kajian telah mengenalpasti beberapa faktor penyumbang kepada isu keselamatan lif di rumah pangsa kos rendah di antaranya bilangan orang kompetan yang diiktiraf oleh Jabatan Keselamatan dan Kesihatan Pekerjaan di dapati tidak mencukupi untuk menjalankan pemeriksaan yang diperlukan ke atas kesemua lif secara komprehensif, kegagalan syarikat lif menunaikan tanggungjawab menjalankan pemeriksaan yang diwajibkan ke atas lif yang berkait rapat dengan isu bilangan orang kompetan yang ada pada setiap firma kompetan, kegagalan pemilik atau badan pengurusan bersama memastikan lif di periksa pada jangkamasa yang ditetapkan serta memastikan lif sentiasa mempunyai sijil kelayakan yang sah, kegagalan JKKP sendiri mengambil tindakan yang diperuntukan oleh Akta dan Peraturan ke atas perlanggaran peruntukan oleh firma kompetan atau pemilik bangunan, ketiadaan kerjasama di antara agensi – agensi kerajaan yang terlibat di dalam rekabentuk dan penyenggaraan lif di rumah pangsa kos rendah dan paling utama ialah isu vandalime yang berkaitan dengan sikap penduduk dan pengguna lif di rumah pangsa kos rendah yang tidak bertanggungjawab merosakan lif.
  11. Isa Halim, Rohana Abdullah, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail
    MyJurnal
    Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are common occupational injuries among workers in the construction industry. Epidemiological studies indicated that WMSDs include neck pain, lower back pain, knee pain, leg fatigue as well as ankle and feet discomfort. The objectives of this study are to identify the WMSDs experienced by the workers during construction works and discuss the causes of those WMSDs. Subjective approach associated with modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was applied to identify the symptoms of WMSDs. A case study was conducted in several construction sites situated at the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. During the study, 37 construction workers with different age and scope of works were interviewed to determine the WMSDs that they have experienced. Based on distributed questionnaire, almost all workers experienced pain in the region of lower back, upper back and biceps. These pains were contributed by manipulation of heavy load and high force exertion. Based on discussed causations, control measures via engineering controls method and administrative controls method were proposed to alleviate the risk of WMSDs among construction workers.
  12. Norhidayah Mat Sout, Muhamad Arifpin Mansor, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail
    MyJurnal
    Ergonomics can be viewed as an approach to reduce injury and illness rates to improve the overall working
    conditions for employees by addressing risk factor exposure that may occur during manual tasks. The objective
    of this research was to analyze ergonomics risk factors by associating the perception of employer and employees
    towards their workplace condition in quarry and mining industry. A Questionnaire on Ergonomics Risk Assessment
    was used to determine the comparison level awareness and perception analysis among quarry and mining industry in
    Malaysia. The findings of this research prove that the exposure of ergonomics risk factors towards the workers is in
    a moderate level with a mean of 3.59 for the overall respondent review about the ergonomics risk among workers at
    their workplace. Besides, the most concern in ergonomics is about the awkward posture at work. Some 8.8% of them
    agreed and 6.6% of them totally agreed that they were in awkward posture while doing their work. As a conclusion,
    assessment of ergonomics in quarry and mining industry will be a platform to provide a safe and healthy working
    environment.
  13. Abdul Wafiy Mohd Salim, Muhamad Arifpin Mansor, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail
    MyJurnal
    This study focused on noise exposure in quarrying industry. Quarry is one of the industries that have an exposure
    of noise in particular processes. The quarries machinery noise is produced when the machines are running, but the
    noise generated by the machines in the production environment includes both process-generated and machinerygenerated
    noise. Survey method was used by distributing questionnaires comprising five parts which are, demography,
    safety and health awareness, safety and health knowledge, safety and health compliances and compliances toward
    noise exposure. However, the study emphasized only on the compliances toward noise exposure in quarrying
    industry. Cronbach alpha (α) was used for the reliability of questionnaires. The study found that the mean value for
    the perception of workers to noise control method compliances is 3.09 which indicates moderate compliances. It was
    shown that, the total number of NIHL cases reported is related to the compliances of noise exposure control measures.
    Compliance is one of the main factors to reduce NIHL among workers. For further development of methods for
    controlling noise exposure, other studies can be done to find other information or methods on how to ensure that the
    related organizations in quarrying industry give their commitment in compliance to noise control methods.
  14. Nur Azlina Abd Rahman, Muhamad Arifpin Mansor, Ahmad Rasdan Ismail
    MyJurnal
    The occurrences of occupational accidents and incidents are increasing in parallel with the growth of industries
    such as mining and quarrying. The main objective of this study was to analyze data on the perception of occupational
    accidents in the mining and quarrying sector in Malaysia. The data was collected and examined based on the
    questionnaires on the level of perception of accident investigation in mining and quarrying sector. Statistical data
    reported by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) was also reviewed. The findings of this study
    prove that the level of perception of workers towards occupational accident issues in mining and quarrying sector
    is still in the moderate level with the mean value of 3.28. The findings show that 51.7% of the workers agree while
    25.9% totally agree to the accident occurrence. Only 1.7% of the workers are not aware of accident occurrence at the
    workplace. Employers and employees must carry out their responsibilities to prevent accidents by adhering to health
    and safety practices at the workplace.
  15. Nor Mohd Razif Noraini, Leman, A.M., Ahmad Sayuti Zainal Abidin
    MyJurnal
    A preliminary study has been conducted in a new constructed 8 stories building (2 level of Hostels facility, 3 level of Training Room, 2 Level of Offices and 1 level of Exhibition Halls and Rooms) in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. The Hostels facility is a floor tile and furnished with build in locker and use split air conditioning system while the Training Room and Exhibition Rooms used floor tile. The Offices and Exhibition Hall are carpeted furnished. All these spaces were using centralized air conditioning systems. A pre-commissioning assessment on 5 chemical parameters of indoor air pollutants such Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), Formaldehyde, Respirable Particulates (PM!
  16. Rosliza Osman, Noorhasimah Awang, Siti Nasyrah Ibrahim, Siti Nurani Hassan, Norsyahidah Mohammad Yusof, Jais Suratman, et al.
    MyJurnal
    Unsafe behaviour is the key factor which contributes to the high number of incidents. Applying Behavior-Based
    Safety (BBS) into safety risk controls has been adopted in major industry toward improving safety performance.
    This approach to prevent incident has a number of advantages. The objective of this study is to identify the BBS
    factors which can contribute to reduce incidents at the workplace. Human factors, behaviour and environment have
    been identified as BBS factors. Human factors are influenced by knowledge and understanding of the workers while
    behaviour factors are influenced by culture and practices in a daily life. In addition, environmental factor involves
    equipment and work area. For an effective BBS approach, level of knowledge, understanding and practices by the
    workers become the main concerns in the implementation of BBS. The findings can become the reference model for
    future implementation in other organizations and as a guidance for better safety management.
  17. Ahmad Syazrin Muhamad
    MyJurnal
    Sound is one of the source of energy generated by vibration and is carried through the air in a form of pressure waves (Frederick, 1975). This pressure waves consist of pulsation or vibration of molecules of an elastic medium such as gas, liquid and even solid (Gerber, 1974). Due to its nature, sound can be irritating when it is excessive. The excessive amount of sound is called noise. Exposure to noise is common to the workers working at the industry. This can lead to hearing loss. Hearing loss is one of the most common health problems in the industrialized world. Working activities have been related to noise exposure due to increase use of machine that generates sounds. Many workers throughout the world experience hazardous noise exposure which is ≥ 85 decibels (dB) (Seter, 1998). Based on the previous study in the European region, most of the employers had difficulties to compensate workers diagnosed with hearing loss or hearing impairment cause by the working nature. (Rachiotis et al., 2006). According to European Survey on Working Conditions, about 7% of the workers considered that their work affects their health in the form of hearing disorders. Occupational risk factors for hearing loss include occupational noise, whole body vibration, work-related diseases and exposure to chemical. In this report, we specified in the noise exposure level of the workers.
  18. Fauziah Nordin, Lewis, SJ., O’Donnell, PNS., Crosbie, PAJ., Richard Booton, Agius, RM., et al.
    MyJurnal
    Manual work is associated with increased lung cancer risk possibly because of increased exposure to occupational and other carcinogens, reduced use of health care services and/or a less healthy lifestyle. The aim of this study was to examine whether the association between manual work and lung cancer risk has changed over time. Three separate retrospective studies were carried out over a 10-year period (1996-1997, 1998-2000 and 2003-2005) in patients attending a bronchoscopy clinic to investigate lung cancer risk in an area of Manchester characterised by high deprivation and unemployment. Cases (n=321) were patients newly diagnosed with a tumour of the lung, trachea or bronchus and controls (n=542) were patients free of tumours at the time of, and prior to, examination. Patients were interviewed using the same structured questionnaire for associations between risk factors and lung cancer examined. The study population in all three studies was similar with little difference in smoking history. In each study smoking was associated with lung cancer risk. Lung cancer risk was higher in manual workers (compared to managers and other professionals) in the first (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.20 – 5.05) and second study (OR 2.73, 95% CI 0.97 – 7.70) but not the third (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.58 – 1.61). However, the summary odds ratio (meta-OR) for lung cancer in manual worker was 1.81 (95% 1.75 – 1.87) after controlling for sex, age and smoking. This study suggested that even after taking into account known occupational and environmental causes of cancer, there was a residual cancer risk associated with manual work, high risk working populations of lung cancer. However this appears to have attenuated recently for as yet unknown reasons.
  19. Kaur S, Mursyid A, Ariffin AE
    MyJurnal
    A study was undertaken to determine the effect of polyethylene and polystyrene used in the manufacture of plastic items on colour perception. Colour vision was assessed using the Ishihara plates, panel 015 test and the Farnsworth Munsell 100-Hue test. Two factories were chosen at random. One factory (referred here as factory A) used virgin resin in pellet form (polyethylene) in the manufacturing of plastic containers to store consumer edible oil. The other factory (referred as factory B) used polystyrene to make plastic bags. A total of 39 healthy employees from factory A (mean age 26.4 :t 8.2 years) and 40 healthy employees from factory B (mean age 26.8 :t 9.6 years) were recruited in this study. A control group of 27 normal healthy subjects (mean age 27.4 :t 4.3 years) who were employees of UKM with no occupational involvement with petroleum derivatives were also recruited in this study and they performed the same colour vision tests. All subjects passed the Ishihara plates test showing that none of the subjects (employees of factory A and B, and control subjects) had a congenital red-green defect. All control subjects passed all of the colour vision tests whilst some employees of factories A and B failed the 015 and FM100 Hue tests. For employees from factory A results from the 015 test showed that 7 (17.9%) had a tritan (blue-yellow) type of defect and 1 (2.6%) had a complex type of defect. The FM 100 Hue results of factory A employees showed that 51.3% (n=20) had a complex type of defect. Total error scores (TES) calculated from the FM 100 Hue test revealed that employees from factory A had a statistically significant higher mean TES of 65.13:!: 48.31 compared to that of control subjects with a mean TES of 31.26:!: 14.93. For employees in factory B, 10 employees (25.0%) had a tritan (blue-yellow) type of defect and 2 (5.0%) had a complex type of defect. Results of the FM 100 Hue test showed that 4 employees (1.0%) had a tritan type of defect whereas 22 (55.0%) had a complex type of defect. Mean total error scores (TES) calculated from the FM 100 Hue test revealed that employees from factory B had a statistically significant higher mean TES of 71.54 :t 54.63 compared with that of control subjects with a mean TES of 31.26 :t. 14.93

    The above results show that employees of the plastic factories studies are associated with a higher risk of acquiring colour vision defects as compared to normal subjects who are not engaged in the plastic manufacturing industry. This may have an implication towards the future retinal health of employees in petrod1emical-based industries.
  20. Asmalia Che Ahmad, Normazlina Mohamed Zi, Ismail Bahari, Azizah Jaafar
    MyJurnal
    Safety Intervention Need Analysis System (SINAS) is a web-based safety management program that aspires the identification for the need of construction safety intervention. It can be accessed through the website www.sinas.org. This first phase of SINAS project development only focus on safe design intervention. SINAS was created to provide assistance for safety practitioners in identifying the need of safe design intervention. This was put forward through the investigations of construction accidents that relate to design. The SINAS process of need analysis are carved up to six steps i.e. user information, accident details, accident evaluation, result of the need analysis, construction design intervention and safety intervention need analysis report. At the end of the process, Safety Intervention Need Analysis Report will be generated. This report is an essential document to proof the need of safe design intervention. Additionally, SINAS also offers recommendations for construction designers and professionals on suitable safe design intervention to prevent construction accidents and minimises construction risks.
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