Semarak International Journal of Public Health and Primary Care

Integrating HIRARC and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) for Comprehensive Work Health and Safety Assessment in a Wood Industry Workshop

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The wood business is inherently dangerous, with workers frequently exposed to hazards such as mechanical breakdowns, chemical exposures, and ergonomic strains. Ensuring the safety and health of workers in such circumstances is critical. The objective of this study is to identify the potential risks associated with each occupation, determine the underlying causes of workplace accidents, and subsequently propose recommendations for enhancing safety. This study provides a thorough examination of occupational health and safety in a wood industry workshop, employing the HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control) approach and the Fault Tree Analysis method (FTA). The investigation commences by methodically analysing potential dangers that may be present in the workshop, encompassing physical, chemical, fire, noise, ergonomic, electrical, and environmental threats. A comprehensive risk assessment is performed to evaluate the probability and magnitude of these dangers, with them being categorised based on their levels of risk. The findings emphasise areas of elevated risk, specifically the use of machinery, manual handling, and exposure to wood dust and chemicals. Next, risk management strategies are suggested to reduce the highlighted dangers, with the significance of engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) being highlighted. The measures include the installation of machine guards, improved ventilation systems, ergonomic workstation design, comprehensive safety training programmes, and regular maintenance schedules. The HIRARC method's systematic approach to identifying and addressing workplace dangers demonstrates its efficacy, ultimately resulting in a more secure work environment. The findings of this study are useful for industry practitioners and safety managers seeking to improve occupational health and safety standards in wood industry workshops. Future research directions include continual monitoring of existing safety measures and the use of enhanced safety technologies.

The Interplay between Oral, Nasal, Lungs and Gut Microbiome Ecology in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection

Sriwathi Angeline Hendricks, Bhuwaneswaran Vijayam — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The human body's immune response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus is a complex phenomenon that is not fully understood. The presence of microorganisms within the body, known as the microbiome, can interact with different mucosal systems and influence the immune response to the virus. Individuals have also been reported to shed the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) despite being asymptomatic for COVID-19. The COVID-19 infection is complex and does not occur merely via the respiratory pathway. In this review, we would like to share about the possible involvement of nasal, oral, lung and gut ecological microbiome in the infectivity of COVID-19.

Obesity, Eating Habits, and Physical Activity before and during Covid-19 Pandemic among University Lecturers

Nur Aqliliriana Zainuddin, Tze Sean Khoo, Chew Wai Hoong — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes to the lives of individuals around the world. Malaysia has implemented restrictions as response to the pandemic and the effects are felt by all parties, including lecturers. This study aims to investigate the impact of the lockdown on the prevalence of obesity, body weight, physical activity and eating habits of university lecturers in Malaysia. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to lecturers of different universities in Malaysia. The questionnaire involves 2 main sections. The first section records the participants’ physical activity level before and during the pandemic while the second section records the changes in eating habits. 323 eligible responses were analyzed, 13.9% of participants were obese and 27.6 were overweight before the pandemic. Significant weight change was recorded as the mean weight increased by 0.57 ± 0.56 kg during the pandemic. Physical activity level decreased from 1.67 ± 0.17 to 1.60 ± 0.17 and changes in eating habits were also observed. Weight change was significantly associated with physical activity, total food intake, sweetened products and confectionery intake, salty snacks, fast food and sweet drinks intake. Prevalence of obesity increased slightly but changes were not significant. The prevalence of obesity is worrying among university lecturers in Malaysia. Interventions should be implemented to improve the current situation. Significant weight gain and PAL decrease was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weight gain was associated with the decrease in physical activity and the increased consumption of unhealthy foods.

Prevalence of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Among Classical Piano Students in Tertiary Education, Universities Tunku Abdul Rahman

Nur Aqliliriana Zainuddin, Kar Jun Wong — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

The prevalence of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis has shown that growing trend among the world. There are some of the studies found out that the prevalence of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is higher in their country. This study aims to find out the prevalence of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis among classical piano students in tertiary education, Universities Tunku Abdul Rahman. A questionnaire was distributed to the students around the school compound around Universities Tunku Abdul Rahman. The questionnaire involves 3 main sections. The first section records the first section is to fill up the demographic data, the second part is to find out the inclusion criteria for the participants in this study and the third part is the symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. The participants who met the inclusion criteria are required to perform a test to confirm the diagnosis of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. There is a total of 156 of pianists around in Universities Tunku Abdul Rahman. Out of 156 of pianists, there is 137 of the pianists are eligible for this study. Among 137 pianists, there is 80% of the pianists are positive to the WHAT test. As conclusion, the prevalence of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is higher among the pianists in Universities Tunku Abdul Rahman. Thus, intervention and preventions should be implemented to prevent the prevalence of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis among the pianists.

Assessment Of Scattered Radiation Dose For Different CT Imaging Protocols In 128-slice And 512-slice Multi-detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) Scanners

Nik Nadia Hazwani Nek Kamal, En Looi Ming — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0700

Computed Tomography (CT) has become the primary diagnostic tool among imaging devices, driven by continuous advancements in technology. Hospitals are increasingly adopting the latest Multi-detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) scanners to take advantage of their enhanced imaging capabilities. However, these advancements raise concerns about scattered radiation due to higher x-ray output. This study aims to compare scattered radiation dose levels between 128-slice and 512-slice MDCT scanners across different CT imaging protocols and evaluates the effectiveness of radiation shielding in a CT suite of a hospital in Kedah. Using a RaySafe 452 survey meter and a PMMA phantom, scattered radiation was measured during CT brain, thorax, and abdomen scans at both controlled and uncontrolled areas. There is a significant difference (p = 0.029) in scattered radiation dose for different CT imaging protocols between 128-slice and 512-slice MDCT scanners at various locations. The main door exhibited the highest radiation for the 128-slice MDCT, while the corridor had the lowest levels for both scanners. This study highlights the varying radiation exposure between different MDCT technologies and underscores the importance of effective radiation shielding in minimizing exposure.