Assessment of occupational health hazards among printing press workers

Background Workers in printing press are frequently exposed to various occupational health hazards, including physical, chemical, mechanical (ergonomic), biological, and psychological hazards while doing their jobs. Chemical and mechanical hazards pose a significant threat to the health and safety of printing press workers (PPWs). A hazardous working condition not only brings numerous health risks to the workers’ health but also minimizes the enterprise’s productivity. Recognizing these hazards and their consequences is the first step toward creating a safer and healthier work environment for this dedicated workforce. Aim To assess occupational health hazards (OHHs) as reported by PPW. Design A descriptive study design was utilized. Sample A purposive sample of 299 was approached for the current study. Tools Printing Press Workers Structured Questionnaire. Results Workers at the printing press were exposed to different types of OHHs, 44.6% of PPWs were exposed to chemical hazards, 46.3% were exposed to mechanical hazards, 58.5% were exposed to accidents in the workplace, and 39.5% had work accidents due to machines. Regarding causes of chemical hazards, 61.5, 55.2, 89.0, and 57.2% of PPWs were always exposed in the workplace to dust, organic solvents, ink, and lead, respectively. As for the causes of mechanical hazards, 61.9% of the study sample always have work that requires carrying heavy objects, 63.9% have a job that always requires a fixed work situation, and 61.9% have work that requires vigorous effort or maximum range of motion. Additionally, 68.9% of the study sample always have work that requires pushing or pulling, and 68.9% always have jobs that require similar repetitive movements. There were highly statistically significant positive correlations between the work stage and chemical and mechanical hazards (P=0.00). Conclusion PPWs faced various OHHs and health problems due to their work and environment. Over one-third were exposed to mild chemical hazards, almost half were exposed to moderate chemical hazards and less than one-fifth were exposed to high chemical hazards. Regarding mechanical hazards, over one-third of PPWs were exposed to mild mechanical hazards, another one-third were exposed to moderate mechanical hazards, and almost one-third were exposed to high mechanical hazards. Recommendations Conduct training programs on safety and health measures to increase knowledge and awareness of printing workers to minimize OHHs. Also, ensure effective usage of personal protective equipment (PPE).