Occupational hazards among the abattoir workers associated with noncompliance to the meat processing and waste disposal laws in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the occupational hazards among the abattoir workers associated with noncompliance to the meat processing and waste disposal laws in Terengganu State, Malaysia. Occupational hazards are the major source of morbidity and mortality among the animal workers due to exposure to many hazardous situations in their daily practices. Occupational infections mostly contracted by abattoir workers could be caused by iatrogenic or transmissible agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites and the toxins produced by these organisms.

Materials and methods

The methodology was based on a cross-sectional survey using cluster sampling technique in the four districts of Terengganu State, Malaysia. One hundred and twenty-one abattoir workers from five abattoirs were assessed using a validated structured questionnaire and an observation checklist.

Results

The mean and standard deviation of occupational hazards scores of the workers were 2.32 (2.721). Physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, musculoskeletal, and ergonomics hazards were the major findings of this study. However, the highest prevalence of occupational hazards identified among the workers was injury by sharp equipment such as a knife (20.0%), noise exposure (17.0%), and due to offensive odor within the abattoir premises (12.0%).

Conclusion

The major occupational hazards encountered by the workers in the study area were physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, musculoskeletal, and ergonomics hazards. To ensure proper control of occupational health hazards among the abattoir workers, standard design and good environmental hygiene must be taken into consideration all the time. Exposure control plan, which includes risk identification, risk characterization, assessment of workers at risk, risk control, workers’ education/training, and implementation of safe work procedures, should be implemented by the government and all the existing laws governing the abattoir operation in the country should be enforced.

Keywords:

• occupational health problem
• slaughterhouse workers
• noncompliance
• abattoir laws
• Malaysia

Acknowledgments

Auwalu Abdullahi would like to express his immense gratitude to Prof Aminu Ibrahim Daneji, Dr Auwalu Baba Ahmad, Dr Murtala Bayero, and engineer Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for their contributions to this study. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of all the abattoir workers and express their sincere appreciation to them for their active participation in this research. Without their cooperation, this work would not have been possible.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to drafting and critically revising the manuscript, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the study.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.