Working behavior and particulate matter exposure of workers in thumley teptaro wood handicraft industry, trang province

Abstract

Dust is a major problem to effect of health especially in formal sector that is not covered by health benefits. This study was proposed at investigating the total dust and particulate matter (PM10) of workers in Thumley Teptaro Wood Handicraft industry, Trang Province. Survey and sampling of dust from all operators were collected three replications using a tracking ID on working period. The results showed that were two groups of Thumley Teptaro Wood Handicraft industry, that total dust were 7.7540+1.3110 and 14.4162+0.9265 mg/m3 and PM10 were 8.6134+1.4806 and 4.5279+0.8743 mg/m3, respectively. Total dust and PM10 were significant difference (P<0.05). PM10 in the wood product process of Thumley Teptaro Wood Handicraft industry were 3.3422+0.6685, 2.9630+0.3050 and 4.5279+0.8743 mg/m3 in sawing, frog style and polishing, respectively. This result indicated that total dust and PM10 in all production process of Thumley Teptaro Wood Handicraft were not exceed the standard of Occupational Safety and Heath Administrstion and the notification of Interior Ministry about safety environment in workplace. Working behavior was found that workers were affected by total dust and PM10 in wood production process. All workers used dust protector during operators work.