Determining Occupational Health Risks at a Roofing Cement Processing Factory in Southern Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine occupational health risks and hazards including dust, heat, noise, light and chemical hazards in the roofing fiber cement processing industry in the South of Thailand.  A walk-through survey was conducted. Environmental and personal dust sampling was conducted in 2 homogenous exposure groups (HEG₁ and HEG₂). The records of physical exams and previous environmental sampling were also reviewed. The concentration of the total dust exposure was higher for the workers in depalleting and skid (0.72 ± 0.30 mg/m³) and painting and spraying (0.67 ± 0.35 mg/m³).  The respirable dust levels were higher for the workers in painting and spraying (1.18 ± 0.87 mg/m³). Noise levels at mixing and pulping were higher than occupational exposure limit OELs. Temperatures were high at racking and curing department (32-34ºC) and de-palleting and skid (32-33ºC).  Chemical hazards were detected, including HCl (0.051± 0.004 ppm) at racking and curing, Cr (III) (0.002 ± 0.001 mg/m³), Fe₂O₃ (0.019 ± 0.025 mg/m³) and MEK (0.034 ppm) at painting and spraying. Over half of HEG₂ employees rarely and never wore masks (58%) whereas 44% of HEG₁ employees wore masks.  Findings suggested that the workers' health would benefit by increased use of personal protective equipment, such as masks and ear plugs, and by education and training programs to promote adequate health-related precautions.