Physical ergonomics awareness in an offshore processing platform among Malaysian oil and gas workers

Abstract

Introduction. The reliability of offshore oil and gas (O&G) facilities depends on the operation and maintenance activities, where human physical intervention is involved. Workers are often exposed to ergonomics hazards due to inefficient workplace design. Ergonomics awareness among workers is a crucial factor in mitigating such hazards. Objectives. This study intends to evaluate the state of physical ergonomics awareness among Malaysian O&G workers and to assess their perception toward the criticality of physical ergonomics issues within an offshore processing facility. Methods. Data were collected through online questionnaire distribution. The respondents were required to evaluate three sections of the questionnaire to reflect their state of physical ergonomics awareness: design criteria in an offshore workplace that are related to physical ergonomics; effects of physical ergonomics implementation in design; criticality of physical ergonomics issues. Results. The results showed a good level of physical ergonomics awareness among respondents without them being influenced by dissimilar experiences (engineering design and operation/maintenance) and the range of experience in an offshore workplace. Conclusion. This study provides an overview of Malaysian O&G workers’ outlook toward the physical ergonomics issues in an offshore workplace. These data could be further analyzed in future as relevant aspects of designing an offshore facility.

Keywords:

• oil and gas
• offshore
• processing equipment
• physical ergonomics
• ergonomics awareness
• Malaysia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.