EMPOWERING MANUAL HANDLERS: A COMPREHENSIVE ERGONOMIC AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAM IN PLASTIC MANUFACTURING KULAI, JOHORE

Abstract

Background: Ergonomic awareness training programs are known for their methodical approach to identifying and mitigating workplace risks and have been associated with decreased Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs were prevalent in manufacturing including the plastic industry, causing significant health and economic impacts. However, research on ergonomic interventions in this sector is limited. Objective: The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of ergonomic awareness programs among manual handling workers in the plastic tray manufacturing industry, with a focus on tasks related to forming and packing. Methods: This study was conducted in a plastic tray manufacturing facility in Kulai, Johor, that targeted workers involved in high-risk ergonomic tasks such as forming and packing, with exposure to ergonomic hazards for up to 12 hours daily. A total of 108 workers participated, receiving ergonomic awareness training and completing survey questionnaires. Results: The results revealed that post-training showed significant improvement (p<0.01) in workers' ergonomic awareness, indicating the effectiveness of the ergonomic training program in enhancing knowledge (t=12.92), attitudes (t=14.77), and practices (t=16.29). Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical role of enhanced ergonomic awareness in emphasizing the necessity for industry-specific, customized ergonomic training in the plastic tray manufacturing industry. It is suggested the implementation of these focused training programs to strengthen workplace safety and health, encourage ergonomic awareness, and lessen the long-term development of MSDs.