A Survey about Occupational Health and Safety within Automotive Repair Shops of the Khon Kaen Municipality

Abstract

This cross‐sectional survey study aimed to investigate the situation about occupational
health and safety within automotive repair shops at the Khon Kaen Municipality. There
were 95 automotive repair shops in the Khon Kaen Municipality which operated legally.
Data were collected by using a survey form and questionnaires. A total of 95 employers
and 95 workers from each automotive repair shop were randomly sampled and
interviewed. Demographic characteristics, welding, fire protection, lifting devices, work
accidents, training, personal protective equipment (PPE) and annual medical check‐up
were evaluated using questionnaires. Noise was measured at all workplaces. The data
were analyzed by conventional descriptive statistics. The results showed that all of
automotive repair shops were located in populated areas. Most of shops operated
already for at least 6 years (37.89%). Shops opened for 9 hours per day (78.95%).
The average 1 to 3 cars were repaired per day (77.90%). The majority of staff was
male workers for 88.83% who were 21‐30 years old (56.35%). The majority of
automotive service was machine repair for 43.16%. Most shops stored oxygen
cylinders (43.81%). Welding devices had no flashback arrestors (95.24%), and the
devices were not checked before welding (59.52%), and the welding gas hoses were
not in a good working condition and joints were not properly connected. Most shops
had fire prevention systems of the dry chemical type (74.74%) and were inspected
1‐3 times per year (83.33%) by the venders. Most workers were not trained on
welding safety (85.71%) and fire protection (62.11%). The lifting devices such as
hoists were inspected by workers (70.27%). Level of noise was 50.00‐83.30 dB(A)
and levels which might cause hearing loss (≥80 dB(A)) were found for 3.16% of the
places studied. Workers were not trained to use personal protective equipments.
Most workers did not used ear plugs (94.74%). They used mostly cotton gloves
(54.47%). Most workers (73.68%) had no annual medical check up. The findings
showed that the shops were very prone to be affected by fire and hazards from
welding and lifting devices. Some workers might be at risk for hearing loss. The
owner should provide adequate and appropriate fire prevention equipment.
Flashback arrestor must be used for welding and welding devices must be checked
before and after use in order to prevent fire and explosion. The shop owner should
provide training for workers about fire protection and, gas welding safety, and
support medical examinations for workers being at occupational risks.