Sara Arphorn

A participatory model for improving occupational health and safety: improving informal sector working conditions in Thailand.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of an Occupational Health and Safety Management Model for informal sector workers in Thailand. The studied model was characterized by participatory approaches to preliminary assessment, observation of informal business practices, group discussion and participation, and the use of environmental measurements and samples. This model consisted of four processes: capacity building, risk analysis, problem solving, and monitoring and control. The participants consisted of four local labor groups from different regions, including wood carving, hand-weaving, artificial flower making, and batik processing workers. The results demonstrated that, as a result of applying the model, the working conditions of the informal sector workers had improved to meet necessary standards. This model encouraged the use of local networks, which led to cooperation within the groups to create appropriate technologies to solve their problems. The authors suggest that this model could effectively be applied elsewhere to improve informal sector working conditions on a broader scale.

Barriers to the acceptance of work colleagues infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Japan

Healthcare workers infected with Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may undertake patient care activities if provider‐to‐patient transmission risks have been assessed in terms of viral load and clinical procedures. The present study investigated potential barriers to the acceptance of colleagues infected with HBV/HCV in healthcare settings after appropriate risk assessment.

Considering the effects of ambient particulate matter on the lung function of motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok, Thailand

ABSTRACT The motorcycle taxi drivers of Bangkok have been heavily exposed to high concentrations of PM10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm), and the impact of this on their lungs has been neither documented nor studied. This study examines the association between exposure to PM10 and lung function decline among motorcycle taxi drivers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bangkok between two groups: a subject group of motorcycle taxi drivers and control group of enclosed vehicle taxi drivers. The findings of the Thailand Pollution Control Department were used to estimate the annual ambient PM10 concentration levels in the metropolis. Pulmonary functions of motorcycle taxi drivers and enclosed vehicle taxi drivers were measured and compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to estimate the effects of PM10 exposure on the lung function of motorcycle taxi drivers. A total of 1283 motorcycle taxi drivers and 600 taxi drivers were investigated. The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) of the motorcycle taxi drivers was significantly lower than that of the taxi drivers (P < 0.001). The mean FEV1/FVC of motorcycle taxi drivers exposed to ≥50 µg/m3 PM10 was statistically lower (−2.82%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −4.54% to −1.09%) and the mean % vital capacity (%VC) of those exposed to 40–49.9 µg/m3 PM10 was statistically lower than that of motorcycle taxi drivers exposed to <30 µg/m3 PM10 (−3.33%; 95% CI: −5.79% to −0.87%). Motorcycle taxi drivers were directly exposed to air pollution in their working environment. As a result, their lung function might decrease more than that of enclosed vehicle taxi drivers. With the possible exposure to ≥50 µg/m3 PM10, the vehicular emission standards should be vigorously enforced. Further investigation is warranted to clarify the effect of lung dysfunction on the work and lifestyle of motorcycle taxi drivers. Implications: Motorcycle taxi drivers are directly exposed to air pollution in their work environment; therefore, their lung function might decrease more than that of enclosed vehicle taxi drivers, especially when exposed to ≥50 µg/m3 PM10. World Health Organization (WHO) vehicular emission standards should be recognized and eventually enforced.

Hematocrit levels as cardiovascular risk among taxi drivers in Bangkok, Thailand

In Thailand, taxi drivers employed in the informal sector often experience hazardous working conditions. Previous studies revealed that elevated Hematocrit (HCT) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study assessed factors associated with HCT in taxi drivers to predict their occupational CVD risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 298 male taxi drivers who joined a health check-up campaign in Bangkok, Thailand. HCT and body mass index were retrieved from participant health check-up files. Self-administered questionnaires assessed demographics, driving mileage, working hours, and lifestyle. Statistical associations were analyzed using stepwise linear regression. Our results showed that obesity (p=0.007), daily alcohol drinking (p=0.003), and current or past smoking (p=0.016) were associated with higher HCT levels. While working hours were not directly associated with HCT levels in the current study, the effect on overworking is statistically arguable because most participants worked substantially longer hours. Our findings suggest that taxi drivers’ CVD risk may be increased by their unhealthy work styles. Initiatives to improve general working conditions for taxi drivers should take into account health promotion and CVD prevention. The policy of providing periodic health check-ups is important to make workers in the informal sector aware of their health status.

Developing primary care occupational health services for informal sector workers in Thailand

This study demonstrates action research’s emancipatory traditions in enabling community stakeholders in rural Thai settings to increase self-reliance and collaboration in improving primary care occupational health services. Most of the Thai workforce are informal sector workers outside Thai labor law protections, health and safety regulatory frameworks, and without specific occupational health services to provide for work-related health needs. This project brought together community leader teams, village health volunteers and informal workers themselves to collaboratively develop community services for this underserved group. Significant changes were effected at community team level, with improvements in networking and community nurses’ health care for the workers and in their oversight and supervision of village health volunteers (VHVs) in the community. Most notably, VHVs’ self-confidence improved at providing illness prevention and health promotion support in workers’ homes and work settings congruent with their daily lifestyle and work schedules. Informal workers’ health self-care behaviors improved.

The System and Human Resources for Occupational Health in Thailand — For Japanese Enterprises to Manage Proper Occupational Health Activities at Overseas Workplaces

We collected information necessary for conducting occupational health activities in Thailand with regard to occupational safety and health management systems (OSHMS). Based on an information collection check sheet developed in our previous research, we conducted a literature research and visited four local business bases, one ISO certification body and two higher educational institutions. The legal framework concerning occupational health in Thailand consists of the Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Act of 2011 and 13 ordinances from the Ministry of Labor under that act. The original OSHMS standards for Thailand have been published, and the number of companies, especially large ones, introducing systems conforming to these standards has increased in recent years. For occupational health specialists, there are training programs for specialized occupational health physicians, professional safety officers and occupational nurses. Professional safety officers also play a central role in occupational health in the workplace. In Thailand, it is necessary to ensure compliance with related acts and regulations, and to conduct voluntary activities that satisfy workplace conditions as based on the OSHMS standards. Additionally, to improve occupational health performance, it is essential to use high-quality external services and/or occupational health professionals. Headquarters of Japanese companies have considered taking countermeasures such as recommending active use of professional safety officers, as well as issuing global standards.

Mercury health risk assessment among petrochemical workers in Rayong Province, Thailand

ABSTRACT Background: Mercury occurs naturally in environment; thus, retention of fossil fuels used as feedstock in petrochemical plants is commonly found. The purpose of this study was to assess mercury health risks among petrochemical workers. Methods: In all, 188 operators and 30 office workers were recruited from 3 petrochemical plants. A total of 83 and 56 air samples were collected during normal working days and turnaround (TA) periods, respectively. Three main meals over 5 consecutive days, drinking water and spot urine samples were collected. Demographics and lifestyle data were collected using questionnaires. USEPA guidelines for mercury health risks were applied. Results: The inhalation exposure during normal working days of the two groups was lower than 5% of the Threshold Limit Value (TLV), but during TA some operators’ exposure exceeded the TLV. The average urinary mercury concentrations of the two groups did not significantly differ. The mercury concentration in the water samples was undetected and did not differ in the food samples of the two groups. Sixty-six operators presented a hazard quotient, HQinh greater than 0.2, but none of office staff, and 98 of 218 participants had hazard index, HI >1. Conclusion: Unacceptable mercury health risk among the petrochemical worker mostly cause by mercury in cooked food.

Macro-Level Policy and Practice Relating to Psychosocial Factors at Work in the Asia Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region contains more than a third of the world’s total labour force (CIA, 2014), and yet there are limited collaborative approaches towards managing psychosocial factors at work. While countries such as Japan, Korea and Australia have laws and regulations specific in addressing work-related psychosocial risk aspects many other countries do not (Kawakamiet al. 2014). This chapter examines answers from a focus group of industry experts representing Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia and Thailand regarding industry, state and national policy and initiatives relating to management of work-related psychosocial risk factors. While specific laws relating to worker wellbeing, including compensation systems attributable to psychosocial risk factors such as workload and stressful work conditions, have been established in Australia and Taiwan, other countries are yet to develop clear legal processes. In Malaysia there is a general requirement for employers to provide a safe working environment; however, this is usually interpreted only in relation to physical health. For Thailand laws protecting worker wellbeing are limited to very specific issues such as chemical exposure and muscular–skeletal disorders (MSDs) but no clear expectations exist regarding psychosocial aspects. Socialised expectation to obey authority is identified as a barrier to better psychosocial risk management at work for both Malaysia and Thailand. Awareness of psychosocial factors and their impact on worker health appears to be growing in the region. For example a recently introduced model Workforce Health and Safety Act in Australia specifically refers to psychological health and in Taiwan since 2008 mental disorders have been classified as compensable, if due to stressful work conditions. However even in countries with formal legal and compensation systems in place, barriers such as limited enforcement and lack of focus on prevention of psychosocial risk factors continue to suppress the protection of worker health and wellbeing.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Respiratory Symptoms Among Home-Based Garment Workers in Bangkok, Thailand

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with respiratory symptoms. A cross-sectional study with random sampling method was employed and 300 home-based garment workers (HBGWs) were recruited. Risk factors, including personal factors; knowledge, health preventive behaviors, and skill of self-health surveillance, working condition, and respiratory symptoms were assessed. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Prevalence of respiratory symptom was 22.3%. Majority of participants were female (78%). Mean age and working experience were 37.38 years (SD = 10.70) and 13.58 years (SD = 8.71), respectively. Allergic respiratory symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 16.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.61-31.7) and garment dust exposure (OR = 12.3; 95% CI = 6.49-23.3) were significantly associated with respiratory symptoms (P < .001). Logistic regression analysis indicated history of allergic predicted the respiratory symptoms (OR = 12.96; 95% CI = 4.24-39.55). HBGWs who had serious allergic symptoms and high exposure to dust were at risk of respiratory symptoms. Therefore, preventive program for garment dust exposure among HBGWs is needed.