Health Problems and the Working Environment of ARC Welding Workers Living in the Municipality District of the Nongbualumphu Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study health problems and work environmental of arc
welding workers in the municipality district of the Nongbualumphu province.
Questionnaires were used for data collecting in assessing personal characteristics,
health problems, and the work environment. Descriptive statistics were applied such
as measuring frequency, percentage, average, median, minimum, and maximum values.
It was found that all of the individuals investigated were informal labors in the
community. The ages of the workers ranged between 41‐50 years for 54.1 percent.
82.4 percent of them were married. 74.2 percent had primary education and 86.8
percent of them were never trained for arc welding. The 35.9 percent of welders
worked everyday and 81.8 percent for more than 8 hours per day. Smoking was
admitted by 62.3 percent of them. Most of the workers (83.0 percent) complained
about muscle problems including: arm muscle pain and 1.3 percent having pain all
over, leg muscle pain was present for 82.4 percent, shoulder pain for 79.9 percent,
and backache for 77.4 percent. Illness caused by chemical and heat were found for
the skin, eye, and nose irritation. Skin, eye, and nose irritation were found to be as
high as 50.1 percent for the workers. Rash was found for 38.1 percent of the
workers and dizziness for 31.4 percent of them. Outdoor working were causing
exhaustion and sweating for 78.6 percent. Eye and visual problems including eye
irritation affected 67.3 percent of the workers, eye pain and bleary eyed 67.1
percent, and eye injury 68.6 percent. Photophobia and red eyes were the most
common problems found for 84.0 percent of the workers. Respiratory problems
including nose and throat irritation involved 59.1 percent of the workers, and
breathlessness 42.8 percent. Audition problems were annoying at 60.7 percent,
and tinnitus 60 percent. Illness diagnosed by physician were: muscle inflammation
for 27.7 percent, allergy or asthma, for 13.2 percent and muscle tensions or
fibrosis for 11.9 percent. Workplaces were lacking fire extinguisher for 94.3
percent, and 95.8 percent of the places had to be considered to be highly unsafe
work stations. Eating places were not separated from the workplace in 52.2
percent. All welders did not use personal protective equipments such as; ear plugs,
and protective respirators. The results of this study identified health problems and
workplace environmental problems of arc welders who were informal laborers in
the community. The information collected can be used as baseline data for further
surveillance, control, and prevention of health problems among arc welders.
Suitable workplace environmental management can decrease health problems of
arc welders in the community.