Assessment of Occupational Hazards and Risks Using the HIRARC Approach in a Hospital Laundry Unit in Kudus, Indonesia
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Abstract
Introduction: The laundry department in a hospital is one of the important support units of the hospital where workers are exposed to various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify work site hazards, assess the level of occupational risks, and propose control measures in the laundry unit of a hospital using the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) approach.
Method: This study employed a qualitative approach involving ten informants representing all laundry operational stages. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and document review, then analyzed using the risk assessment formula R = L x S. The resulting scores were used to categorize and evaluate the risk levels for each operational process.
Results: The analysis revealed that most activities in the laundry unit were classified as medium risk, including exposure to microorganisms, ergonomic strain, chemical irritation, and contact with heat surfaces. Two activities machine extraction and machine cleaning were categorized as high risk due to potential mechanical entrapment and electrical shock hazards.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for safety training, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), periodic equipment maintenance, and ergonomic improvements to reduce work site hazards. The HIRARC method proved effective in systematically identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risk controls in hospital support services.
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References
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