The evaluation of physiological changes and heat related illness among palm oil mill workers under heat stress condition

Mohammad Yusof, Nur Athirah Diyana (2014) The evaluation of physiological changes and heat related illness among palm oil mill workers under heat stress condition. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text lp FPSK4 2014 23.pdf Download (31MB)

Abstract

Project paper (B.S.(Environmental & Occupational Health)) – Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2014. Background: Palm oil mill production involved work processes with high temperature. However, less study has been conducted on the hazards of high temperature among the workers here. Therefore, the purpose ofthis study is to evaluate the physiological changes and heat related illness among palm oil mill workers under heat stress condition Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three different palm oil mill. Palm oil mill workers (n=88) were interviewed using self- constructed questionnaire including heat related illness. Heat stress assessment (WBGTin) and the level of air velocity were measured using QUESTempº34 Thermal Environment Monitor and TSI Velocicalc®3 Air Velocity Meters respectively. Meanwhile, Omron MC-510 Gentle Temperature Ear Thermometer (measure core body temperature), POLAR Heart Rate FT60 (measure heart rate) and OMRON T3 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor (measure blood pressure) was used in the physiological measurement ofthe workers. All of these parameters were taken in three session; before shift, after 2 hours working and after 8 hours working. Results: The results highlighted that all the work sections in the palm oil mill were exceeded Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (>28.0°C). Heat exhaustion (86.4%) is the highest prevalence of heat related illness reported, followed by dehydration (78.4%). Heat cramps (61.4%), heat rashes (38.6%), heat syncope (28.4%) and heat stroke (4.5%). The value of WBGTin has no correlation with the air velocity reading (r(21)= .45,p= 36). There was significant differences in physiological parameters (core body temperature, F(1.86, 162.18) = 14.79,p < .001; heart rate, F(1.78, 154.79) = 22.38, p <.001; and blood pressure F(1.77, 153.85) = 34.114, p < .001) between three session. Conclusion: The workers were exposed to high temperature due to their hot working environment. The air velocity in the mill indicates less air circulation which contribute to the no significance correlation with WGTin. The highest prevalence of heat related illness among workers in palm oil mill is heat exhaustion. There is significant differences in physiological parameters between three different sessions which indicates the workers are subjected to high heat stress during the first two hours before the acclimatization process happened. Keywords: Heat stress, heat related illness, palm oil mill, physiological.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms. Adni Syuhaida Zon
Date Deposited:	23 Nov 2022 03:53
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2023 01:00
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/485

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