Developing ergonomics intervention for improving safety & health among smallholders in Melaka oil palm plantation: a participatory action oriented approach
- Author:
M.Y. Ishkandar
;
B.M.T. Shamsul
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
intervention, ergonomics, participatory, small holders, oil palm plantation
- From:Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine
2016;16(Special Volume (1)):36-42
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In the Malaysia Economic Transformation Programmed (ETP) launched on 2010, palm oil industry has been
highlighted as one of the key sector towards national economic development. There are a lot of concerns directed
towards safety and health in the agricultural sectors where oil palm plantations are the main agricultural sectors
in Malaysia. Correspondingly, several tasks by the small holders in the oil palm plantation have been shown to
lead to musculoskeletal disorders which are attributed to various safety and health issues. This study intends to
determine the effects of ergonomics interventions approach, highly promoted by International Labor Organization
to resolve ergonomics issues specifically among oil palm plantation small holders and to improve Occupational
Safety and Health aspects of the workplace. The study will be divided into two phases, the first phase of the
cross-sectional design which will involve 360 male respondents working as small holders in the oil palm plantation.
Questionnaires will be used to collect information on socio demographic data, occupational history, social
lifestyle and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) data. The second phase of the intervention study
(Quasi Experimental) involve intervention program based on Participatory Action Oriented Training (PAOT)
approach using qualitative observation and quantitative results of analysis during the first phase. A training
program consisting of 3 primary instruments (lecture, action checklist and video), reinforcing activities (to
increase knowledge, enhance understanding and associate practical application) and indicators (questionnaires
and qualitative observation) were created, modified and customized to the small holders’ working in oil palm
plantation. Palm oil industry provides job opportunity for more than half a million people and living opportunity
for more than 1 million people (MPOB, 2011). Improving safety & health for the small holders in the oil palm
plantations become the overall outcome of the ergonomics intervention. Specifically, the ergonomics Intervention
will be expected to increase Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among the small holders, to be used as a
program for occupational safety & health improvement in oil palm plantations around Melaka as well as to reduce
risk of developing Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) due to small holder’s multi task in the oil palm plantations.
As the current knowledge gap of agricultural workers such as small holders remains wide in terms of safety and
health, awareness among the small holders in the rural areas is low. In addition, focus of research was generally
low on agricultural workers especially of health components further increasing the knowledge gap and status of
health of agricultural workers or specifically small holders in Malaysia.
- Full text:P020170202418240820134.pdf
