Authors: Fatima Joy M. Miranda, Marvin M. Panganiban, and Willie C. Buclatin
Abstract: This research study aimed to determine the possible risks and suggest possible solutions to the identified risks at Industrial Galvanizers Corporation of the Philippines. Specifically, this study attempted to: (1) determine the demographic profile of heavy equipment operators; (2) identify the possible human health risks on the job of a heavy equipment operator; (3) determine if there is a significant relationship between demographic profile and work characteristics on the frequency of musculoskeletal injury, and (4) suggest possible recommendation to lessen the risk that heavy equipment operator encounter for each heavy equipment operated. This study was done at Industrial Galvanizers Corporation of the Philippines at Brgy. Conchu, TreceMartires City, Cavite.Through survey questionnaires, demographic profile, work characteristics and risk identification were then recognized. The respondents of this study were seventy-one heavy equipment operators. Forty-two operators were from crane, seventeen operators from radial, and twelve respondents from forklift.
The age of the respondents ranges from 30-55 years old. Seventeen (23.94%) ranged from 30-34 years old; twenty-two (30.99%) belonged to 35-39 years old; twenty (28.17%) ranged from 40-44 years old; ten (14.08%) ranged from 45-49 years old; and two (2.82%) belonged to age range of 50-55 years old. The years of experience of the respondents ranges from 0-19 years. Seven (9.86%) ranged from 0-4 years of experience; thirty-six (50.70%) ranged from 5-9 years of experience; twenty-one (29.58%) ranged from 10-14 years of experience; and seven (9.86%) ranged from 15-19 years of experience. The hours of driving of the respondents ranged 1-13 hours per day. 7-10 hours per day has 53 (74.65) participants, 4-6 hours has 12 (16.90%) participants, 1-3 hours has 5 (7.04%) participants, and 11-13 hours has 1 (1.41%) participant. The body parts that correlated to crane in age, years of experience, and hours of driving with its frequency, severity, and interference were hip/buttocks that correlated to age, hip/buttocks correlated to years of experience, and right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, right hand (index, middle, half of the ring finger), right hand (pinkie and half of the ring finger), right hand (thumb), right hand (palm), right hand (base of the thumb). The body parts that correlated to forklift in age, years of experience, and hours of driving with its frequency, severity, and interference were right hand (base of the thumb) that correlated to age, upper back that correlated to years of experience, upper back, right upper arm, left upper arm, and hip/buttocks that correlated to hours of driving. The body parts that correlated to radial in age, years of experience, and hours of driving with its frequency, severity, and interference were left hand (index, middle, half of the ring finger), left hand (palm), left hand (base of the thumb) that correlated to age, left hand (index, middle, half of the ring finger), left hand (palm) that correlated to year of experience, and left hand (thumb) that correlated to hours of driving. The risk was determined in each heavy equipment such as crane, forklift and radial associated to musculoskeletal disorder using Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire. The correlated parts were identified through the use of Portable IBM SPSS Statistics v19.
Keywords: Risk, Risk Assessment, Heavy Equipment, Heavy Equipment Operators